Feb. 23, 2007
Results
URBANA, Ill. ­- The Illinois women's tennis team dropped its Big Ten opener to the visiting No. 36 Purdue Boilermakers tonight, 6-1, at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini, despite putting up a fight in doubles, could not pull out an upset in the singles portion. Freshman Megan Fudge tallied the lone win for Illinois on the night, posting a huge victory at No. 1 singles.
"All in all, my hat goes off to Megan Fudge who came out and won her singles match after having practiced very little this week due to her coming back from injury," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "The energy that she brings to the court definitely gives us a different look when she's in the lineup. In doubles, I was extremely proud of the girls. At three, we pulled it out in the tiebreak and we put ourselves in a great position to win at No. 1 doubles. I think if we win the doubles point, our singles mentality could have been totally different. Now, we have to put this behind us and get ready for Sunday against Washington."
Starting off the night, the Boilermakers picked up a quick win at No. 2 doubles and looked to be running away with the doubles point as they led in both the No. 1 and 3 slot The Illini, however, charged back as sophomore Bryce Marable and Fudge (ILL) battled back to take a 7-6 lead in their match at No. 1, while junior Momei Qu and freshman Kristina Minor (ILL) worked their way back into a 8-7 lead at No. 3. Despite a quick turn around in favor of the Illini, Purdue was able to clinch the doubles point when the 28th-ranked pair of Brooke Beier and Mallory Voelker (PUR) pushed Fudge and Marable into a tiebreak, winning 7-2. Minor and Qu closed out the doubles portion, downing Randi Schuler and Anna Dzeva (PUR), 9-8 (7).
Struggling to put the Illini away in the opening doubles session, the Boilermakers made quick work in the singles portion, claiming first-set victories in all but one of their matches. In the end, the Boilermakers earned wins at No. 3 and 6 singles before clinching the victory when Beier (PUR) defeated Shivani Davé (ILL), 6-2, 6-4 at No. 2 singles.
Fudge highlighted the night for the Orange and Blue as she made her comeback from injury in style, playing like she hadn't missed a beat in the No. 1 singles spot. The Kaarst, Germany native owned the first set 6-4 over Voelker (PUR) before battling to a second-set victory, 7-5.
Illinois closes out it eight-match home stand when it takes on the Washington Huskies on Sunday, Feb. 25, for a non-conference showdown at the Atkins Tennis Center at 11 a.m.
TENNIS MATCH RESULTS
PURDUE VS ILLINOIS
URBANA, ILL.
#36 PURDUE 6, ILLINOIS 1
Singles competition
1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Mallory Voelker (PUR) 6-3, 7-5
2. Brooke Beier (PUR) def. Shivani Davé (ILL) 6-2, 6-4
3. Randi Schuler (PUR) def. Momei Qu (ILL) 6-0, 6-0
4. Neela Vaez (PUR) def. Kristina Minor (ILL) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Cigdem Duru (PUR) def. Bryce Marable (ILL) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
6. Anna Dzeva (PUR) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #28 Mallory Voelker/Brooke Beier (PUR) def. Megan Fudge/Bryce Marable (ILL) 9-8 (7-2)
2. Cigdem Duru/Neela Vaez (PUR) def. Emily Wang/Shivani Davé (ILL) 8-1
3. Momei Qu/Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Randi Schuler/Anna Dzeva (PUR) 9-8 (9-7)
Match Notes
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3); Singles (3, 6, 2, 4, 1, 5)
