March 19, 2007
Results
HOUSTON, Texas ­- The Illinois women's tennis team dropped a close one on the road in Texas, falling 4-3 to Houston today at Hoff Courts on the campus of the University of Houston. Despite a valiant effort in doubles, the Illini dropped two of three doubles tilts to fall short of clinching the doubles point, which proved to be the decisive factor in the close contest.
Junior Momei Qu and freshman Kristina Minor won their fourth straight doubles tilt, taking down Rebecca Franzi and Vicky Simpson (HOU), 8-4. The victory, however, was not enough as Houston opened the match with a win at No. 1 and clinched it with a victory in the third spot.
In singles, the two teams battled back and forth with Houston taking a quick 2-0 lead in the match behind a win at No. 6. Freshman Megan Fudge posted the first Illini point when she dismissed Loli Gomez (HOU), 6-4, 6-3, followed by junior Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) at No. 5 singles, defeating Anna Djananova (HOU), 6-3, 6-2. The two teams were then knotted again when Houston notched a win at No. 2 singles before sophomore Shivani Davé responded by edging Franzi (HOU) 7-5, 6-1, bringing the match to a decisive point at No. 4 slot.
Minor (ILL) pushed Neila Starratt (HOU) to the limit in that match, but could no prevail in the second-set tiebreaker, falling 6-3, 7-6(5), as Starratt sealed the Houston victory.
Illinois continues its Spring Break trip with a match against Texas on Wednesday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. (CST), followed by a contest against Texas-San Antonio on March 22, at 3 p.m. (CST). The Illini's match against Texas can be followed through live scoring at www.texassports.com.
Full recaps of the Illini's matches against its Texas foes and Michigan State this coming week can be found at fightingillini.com. Illinois' home match against Michigan State can be followed through live scoring through the women's tennis web site.
TENNIS MATCH RESULTS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
3/19/2007
HOUSTON 4, ILLINOIS 3
Singles competition
1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Loli Gomez (HOU) 6-4, 6-3
2. Leila Salek (HOU) def. Momei Qu (ILL) 6-4, 6-2
3. Shivani Davé (ILL) def. Rebecca Franzi (HOU) 7-5, 6-1
4. Neila Starratt (HOU) def. Kristina Minor (ILL) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Anna Djananova (HOU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Vicky Simpson (HOU) def. Emily Wang (ILL) 5-2
Doubles competition
1. Leila Salek/Loli Gomez (HOU) def. Emily Wang/Megan Fudge (ILL) 8-4
2. Anna Djananova/Sonja Nikolic (HOU) def. Alejandra Meza Cuadra/Shivani Davé (ILL) 9-7
3. Momei Qu/Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Rebecca Franzi/Vicky Simpson (HOU) 8-4
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (6, 1, 5, 2, 3, 4)
UNMASKING THE LONGHORNS
The Texas Longhorns are coming off a devastating loss at the hands of the USC Trojans. Despite their senior leader Ristine Olson rallying for a three-set victory at fifth singles, the effort was not enough on Wednesday as No. 11 USC defeated No. 41 Texas (5-6) by a 6-1 count at home.
Texas looks to redeem itself after falling to 5-6 overall on the season and next host the Illini in their next contest. First serve is set for 5:30 p.m. Central.
A CLOSER LOOK AT UTSA
No. 73 Southeastern Louisiana halted UTSA's six-match winning streak with a 6-1 victory on Sunday in Southland Conference women's tennis action, as the Roadrunners dropped only their third match of the season. UTSA dropped to 7-3 on the season and 1-1 in SLC.
In that match, SLU took the doubles point wining two of the three matches, while the Lady Lions won five the six singles matches on the day.
UTSA has a pair of home matches before facing the Illini, hosting Sam Houston State on Saturday, March 17, and Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, March 18. Illinois and UTSA are set to tangle on Thursday, first serve at 3 p.m.
LOOKING AHEAD
Illinois concludes the Spring Break holiday with a Big Ten matchup against Michigan State on Sunday, March 25, at the Atkins Tennis Center at noon.
