Nov. 3, 2006

URBANA, Ill. - The Illinois women's tennis team put the final touches on a successful day at the 2006 Midwest Blast at the Atkins Tennis Center on Friday night. The Illini were led by the efforts of their youngsters, freshman Megan Fudge and sophomore Shivani Davé.

"I am extremely proud of Megan Fudge and Kristina Minor today," head coach Michelle Dasso said. ""To come back from a set down and pull out the win was terrific for both of them. Minor played her best match I have seen her play this year. She faced three match points in the second set, but still continued to fight until the end. I was impressed with how composed and focused she was out there."

The Illini opened the day with solid wins from the doubles tandems of senior Emily Wang and junior Momei Qu and freshman Kristina Minor and Davé. Wang and Qu defeated Brooke Forsberg and Megan Brooks of Northern Illinois by a score of 8-2, while Minor and Davé cruised through their match against Chrissy Nagel and Stephanie Okuma of NIU, 8-3. Fudge and freshman Leigh Finnegan received a first round bye.

With solid wins under their belt, the Illini proceeded to dominate the first round of the singles bracket in both the Orange and Blue Flights. Finnegan rolled through her first match, 6-0, 6-0 over Forsberg in the Orange Flight, while junior Alejandra Meza Cuadra downed Okuma 6-1, 6-3 in the Blue Flight. Minor dropped only two points in her Blue Flight match against Doris Dellagdillo of Northern Illinois, 6-1, 6-1. Fudge and Davé both received a first round bye. Qu wrapped up the singles action, falling to Cigdem Duru of Purdue, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

In the nightcap, the Illini met steeper competition in the quarterfinals, but Dave, Fudge, Minor and Qu each advanced.

Qu returned to form in her second contest of the day, taking down Lilian Asuaje of Northern Illinois, 6-2, 6-0. Dropping the first set to a hard-hitting Robyn White of Louisville, Fudge settled into her match and pushed it to three sets before prevailing 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 over White. Despite an overpowering White, Fudge looked determined and used her variety to seal the win. Davé, who was hitting on all cylinders, never trailed in her victory over Natalie Baez of Louisville, 6-1, 6-0.

In the most hard-fought match of the night, Minor looked out of the battle after dropping the first set 6-4, and facing two match points against Alejandra Boeker of Purdue. Minor, however, fought back to even the affair with a second-set 7-5 victory before sealing the win with a 6-2 third set.

Rounding out the singles contests, Meza Cuadra fell to Natalie Laszkowski of Louisville, 6-1, 6-1, while Finnegan came up short against Neela Vaez of Purdue 6-2, 6-3.

The Illini will return to action tomorrow with action beginning at 9 a.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center. The morning kicks off with the quarterfinals and semifinals of doubles, followed by the semifinals and consolation matches of singles.

Midwest Blast Doubles in PDF Format
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Midwest Blast Singles in PDF Format
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MIDWEST BLAST RESULTS
Friday, Nov. 3
Orange Flight Singles
Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Robyn White (UL); 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
Cigdem Duru (PUR) def. Momei Qu (ILL); 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Momei Qu (ILL) def. Lilian Asuaje (NIU); 6-2, 6-0
Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Brooke Forsberg (NIU); 6-0, 6-0
Neela Vaez (PUR) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL); 6-2, 6-3

Blue Flight Singles
Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Stephanie Okuma (NIU); 6-1, 6-3
Natalie Laszkowski (ILL) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL); 6-1, 6-1
Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Doris Dellagdillo (NIU); 6-1, 6-1
Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Alejandra Boeker (PUR); 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
Shivani Davé (ILL) def. Natalie Baez (UL); 6-0, 6-1

Doubles
Wang/Qu (ILL) def. Brooke Forsberg/Megan Brooks (NIU); 8-2
Minor/ Davé (ILL) def. Chrissy Nagel/Stephanie Okuma (NIU); 8-3