Jan. 28, 2006

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The 53rd-ranked Fighting Illini women's tennis team (2-1) lost their first road match of the season Saturday afternoon. No. 19 Tennessee (1-2) won all three doubles matches to capture the doubles point and cruised to a 6-1 victory.

"Our doubles matches set the tone for us in a negative way," Coach Lama said. "We prepared to come out with intensity but we had no energy and played tentatively. There was never a moment where we had any momentum."

The Lady Vols didn't let up when it was time for singles play. The hosts moved ahead 4-0, before junior Emily Wang averted the shutout winning the first set on court No. 5, 6-3, before Tennessee's Samantha Orlin needed to retire due to injury. Of the five Illini who lost in singles, only sophomore Macall Harkins was able to extend her match to a third set.

"I am disappointed but I think this was a good learning experience for us," Lama said. "It's clear that we need to change up the doubles teams. We're beginning to play stagnant. We need to be cohesive and play with more energy."

Illinois returns to Atkins Tennis Center for a doubleheader Saturday Feb. 4. The Illini will take on Illinois State at 11 a.m. and Illinois-Chicago at 4 p.m.

Saturday's Results

#19 Tennessee 6, #53 Illinois 1
Jan 27, 2006 at Goodfriend Tennis Center

Singles
1.	Victoria Jones (TN) def. Momei Qu (ILL); 6-3, 6-0
2.	Blakeley Griffith (TN) def. Macall Harkins (ILL); 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
3.	Melissa Schaub (TN) def. Brianna Knue (ILL); 6-0, 6-2
4.	Ghizel Schutte (TN) def. Shivani Dave'  (ILL); 6-4, 6-4
5.	Emily Wang (ILL) def. Samantha Orlin (TN); 6-3, retired
6.	Stephanie Harris (TN) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL); 6-1, 6-4
Order of finish: 3,1,4,5,2,6

Doubles 1. Schaub/Schutte (TN) def. Knue/Harkins (ILL); 8-5 2. Griffith/Jones (TN) def. Qu/Wang (ILL); 8-1 3. Harris/Orlin (TN) def. Dave'/Meza Cuadra (ILL); 8-6 Order of finish: 2,1,3,