March 7, 2007

Results

URBANA, Ill. ­- The Illinois women's tennis team strung together a strong performance at home to end a four-match skid, defeating Illinois State, 6-1, at the Atkins Tennis Center on Wednesday night. A full team effort propelled the Orange and Blue over the visiting Redbirds, as Illinois improved to 3-6 (0-1 Big Ten) on the season., while Illinois State dropped to 4-4 overall.

 

"I felt really good about Shivani's play, and it was a big moment for her to step up and win it for us tonight," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We worked a lot this week on body language and things we could control out on the court, and I thought the team did a good job of staying in every point and fighting."

 

Kicking off the night strong, Illinois swept the doubles portion of the evening behind the efforts of junior Momei Qu and freshman Kristina Minor (ILL) at No. 3, who dismissed Matea Simovic and Tanja Hrovatic (ISU), 8-1, in just over 30 minutes. Juniors Shivani Davé and Alejandra Meza Cuadra tallied the Illini's second victory, clinching the doubles point and giving Illinois a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

 

The Illini then took care of business in singles, winning, in order of finish, at the No. 6 and 4 spots. In the third position, Davé was in control from the first swing of the racquet, dictating play against Véronique Parke-Bédard en route to prevailing 6-1, 6-4, clinching the duel-match for Illinois.

 

Highlighting the evening for Illinois and showing no signs of trouble at No. 4 and 6 singles, sophomore Bryce Marable (ILL) cruised to a straight-sets victory over Jeanelle Stines (ISU) 6-3, 6-3, while Meza Cuadra (ILL) bageled Megan Rozboril (ISU) 6-0, 6-0.

 

Showing heart and determination in her match, Minor (ILL) never threw in the towel in the fifth spot, falling 6-4 in the first. The Illini freshman rebounded to take the second 6-3 over Simovic (ISU) before taking the contest 10-5 in the match tiebreak.

                                                                                       

Illinois now prepares for its Spring Break trip from March 19-22, as they head to the Lone Star State for three straight matches. Illinois begins the week with a match against Houston on March 19, followed by a duel against Texas on March 21. The Orange and Blue conclude the break with a contest against Texas-San Antonio on March 22.

 

TENNIS MATCH RESULTS

ILLINOIS STATE VS ILLINOIS

URBANA, ILL.

ILLINOIS 6, ILLINOIS STATE 1

 

Singles competition

1. Katri Miller (ISU) def. Megan Fudge (ILL) 6-0, 6-4

2. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Julia Zubkova (ISU) 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 10-8

3. Shivani Davé (ILL) def. Véronique Parke-Bédard (ISU) 6-1, 6-4

4. Bryce Marable (ILL) def. Jeanelle Stines (ISU) 6-3, 6-3

5. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Matea Simovic (ISU) 4-6, 6-3, 10-5

6. Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Megan Rozboril (ILLST) 6-0, 6-0

 

Doubles competition

1. Megan Fudge/Emily Wang (ILL) def. Katri Miller/Veronique Parke-Bédard (ISU) 8-4

2. Shivani Davé/Alejandra Meza Cuadra (ILL) def. Carolyne Parent/Julia Zubkova (ISU) 8-2

3. Momei Qu/Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Matea Simovic/Tanja Hrovatic (ISU) 8-1

 

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (1, 6, 4, 3, 5, 2)