Sept. 24, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The University of Illinois women's team completed the second day of the Yonex Spartan Cup hosted by Michigan State University on Saturday. The Illini were less successful in singles play as they were the first day of the tournament but their doubles play was the story of the day. Illinois has two doubles tandems set to play in the semifinal round of the flight A championship bracket on Sunday.

The confidence paid dividends for the Illini as Momei Qu and Emily Wang advanced to the semifinals after beating Stephanie Kebler and Jessica Baron of Michigan State, 8-6. The Orange and Blues No. 1 doubles tandem of Macall Harkins and Brianna Knue topped Marianne Eelens and Ana Milosavlevic of IUPUI, 8-3. Shivani Dave' and Alejandra Meze Cuadra advanced to the consolation semifinals with their impressive vicotory on Saturday against Rachel Merritt and Stephanie Hill of Detroit, 8-0.

"Overall we had a huge improvement in doubles," said Coach Lama. "All of our teams were very confident and poised together."

The Illini could not keep their undefeated singles play alive a day after they won all nine of their singles matches. Sophomores Macall Harkins and Momei Qu both dropped their flight A semifinal matches. Harkins faced an outstanding opponent in Maria Klokotzky of Louisville. Harkins battled her opponent for and hour and half first set but couldn't capitalize, losing the match, 7-5, 6-0. Qu lost a heartbreaker to Christine Bader of MSU, 7-5, 7-6(3). Pavlina Akritas advanced the flight B semifinal round but was beat by Jessica Baron of Michigan State, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1.

"I'm disappointed because we had a few opportunities to close some matches," said Lama. "But on the same token, we lost to some really good players. We got challenged today and you could tell we were a little rusty. We still have a lot of work ahead of us."

The Illini return the Michigan State outdoor tennis courts tomorrow to conclude the three day event. Play begins at 9 a.m.

Saturday's Results

Flight A Singles
Macall Harkins (ILL) def. Sarah Andrews (MSU); 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4
Maria Klokotzky (UL) def. Brianna Knue (ILL); 7-5, 6-0
Momei Qu (ILL) def. Robyn White (UL); 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-1
Christine Bader (MSU) def. Momei Qu; 7-5, 7-6(3)
Christine Bader (MSU) def. Emily Wang (ILL); 6-2, 6-0

Flight B Sinlges
Jessica Baron (MSU) def. Shivani Dave' (ILL); 6-1, 6-3
Pavlina Akritas (ILL) def. Marianne Eelens (MSU); 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
Jessica Baron (MSU) def. Pavlina Akritas (ILL); 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Stephanie Kebler (MSU) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL); 6-3, 6-1

Flight A Doubles
Qu/Wang (ILL) def. Stephanie Kebler/Jessica Baron (MSU); 8-6
Maria Klokotzky/Robyn White (LOU) def. Dave'/Meza Cuadra (ILL); 8-3
Harkins/Knue (ILL) def. Marianna Eelens/Ana Milosavljevic (MSU); 8-3

Flight B Doubles Consolation
Dave' Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Stephanie Hill/Rachel Merritt (DET); 8-0

Doubles Extra Matches
Akritas (ILL)/Pascale Schnitzer (MSU) def. Jill Klauck/Elizabeth Young (UC); 8-1

Flight A Singles Extra Matches
Sarah Andrews (MSU) def. Emily Wang (ILL); 6-0, 2-6, 6-2
Brianna Knue (ILL) def. Marianne Eelens (MSU); 6-2, 6-1

Flight B Singles Extra Matches
Shivani Dave' (ILL) def. Natalia Baez (LOU); 6-3, 6-0
Meza Cuadra (IL) def. Stephania Velazquez (LOU); 6-1, 7-5