Nov. 5, 2006

URBANA, Ill. - - The Illinois women's tennis team continued to impress fans at the 2006 Midwest Blast at the Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana on Saturday, Nov. 3. Freshmen Leigh Finnegan and Megan Fudge advanced into the finals of the doubles bracket, while Fudge and freshman Kristina Minor each advanced into the finals of the Blue and Orange singles flights, respectively.

Fudge and Finnegan began the day with a win over Alejandra Boeker and Neela Vaez of Purdue, 8-3. Using their momentum, the freshmen duo cruised through the semifinals with a victory over Natalie Baez and Bianca Gorbea of Louisville, 8-4. With their performance, the Illini pair now faces Lauren Imre and Robyn White of Louisville tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

In singles, Fudge continued her march to the Orange Flight title, easily dismissing Maria Klokotzky of Louisville, 6-3, 6-1, to advance into the final match against Neela Vaez of Purdue tomorrow following the conclusion of doubles. In the Blue Flight, Minor pulled out another three-set thriller, defeating Gorbea 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to advance into the final match against Natalie Laszkowski of Lousiville.

In other Illini action, senior Emily Wang and junior Momei Qu could not overcome a feisty Baez and Gorbea doubles tandem, dropping the match 8-1. The doubles pair of Minor and sophomore Shivani Davé could not get anything going in their doubles contest, as well, falling to Imre and White, 8-1. In singles, despite a close first set, Davé could not turn the match around as she fell to Laszkowski 7-6(2), 6-3.

Junior Alejandra Meza Cuadra won her singles consolation match, downing Baez 6-0, 6-1, while Qu closed out the Illini in singles action with her victory over Nao Umemura of Northern Illinois, 6-2, 6-1.

The Illini will return to action tomorrow with the final day of the 2006 Midwest Blast beginning at 9 a.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center.

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

Saturday, Nov. 4
Orange Flight Singles
Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Maria Klokotzky (UL); 6-3, 6-1
Momei Qu (ILL) def. Nao Umemura (NIU); 6-2, 6-1

Blue Flight Singles
Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Doris Dellagdillo (NIU); 6-4, 7-5
Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Bianca Gorbea (UL); 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
Natalie Laszkowski (UL) def. Shivani Davé (ILL); 7-6(2), 6-3

Doubles
Fudge/Finnegan (ILL) def. Alejandra Boeker/Neela Vaez (PUR); 8-3
Fudge/Finnegan (ILL) def. Natalie Baez/Bianca Gorbea (UL); 8-4
Natalie Baez/Bianca Gorbea (UL) def. Wang/Qu (ILL); 8-6
Lauren Imre/Robyn White (UL) def. Minor/ Davé (ILL); 8-1