Feb. 17, 2008

Box Score

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. - The No. 68-ranked Illinois women's tennis team found itself in another long battle against the No. 48-ranked Washington Huskies at the Mercer Island Country Club in Mercer Island, Wash., today. Yet, the Huskies were able to again sneak by the Illini, 4-3, snapping Illinois' two-match win streak and improve their own to eight straight. In a match of such a close nature, it was the pivotal doubles point that proved the decider, as Washington clinched the point to open the match with a lead that they held onto the remainder of the afternoon.

"We battled really hard against Washington but just fell short," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "I am really proud of everyone's efforts today. Leigh Finnegan played one of the best college matches that I have ever seen. She is just continuing to get better with every match she plays. From here, we still have to work on that ever so important doubles point."

With the loss, Illinois dropped to 4-4 overall, while Washington improved to 8-1 on the year.

An Achilles heel for the Illini all season has been the doubles point; another hurdle the Orange and Blue could not overcome against the Huskies today. In fact, it also proved the difference in the two team's meeting in 2007 when Washington garnered its first win of the season in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Illini as well. In today's affair, Washington was just one shot better on each court, sweeping the doubles portion to open the match.

Up 1-0 and heading into singles the Huskies then padded their lead with a win at No. 1 singles, while senior Momei Qu (ILL) finally put the Orange and Blue on the board with a win over Vanja Radunovic (UW), 6-3, 6-4, in the fifth singles spot. Sophomore Kristina Minor (ILL) knotted the match at 2-all with a strong win at No. 6 singles. In fact, heading into the match, the Huskies were a combined 7-1 at the sixth position with four different players inhabiting that spot, a position Washington has been strong at before Minor's victory.

However, UI's momentum was halted as Washington won on court four, and clinched the dual with a three-setter at No. 3 singles as freshman Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) fell to Tara Simpson (UW).

Leigh Finnegan (ILL) was one of the brightest spots for Illinois on the day, as she showed heart and determination in her match at No. 2 singles. The redshirt freshman trailed early after dropping the opening frame, 6-4, but did not let that deter her, as she rebounded to capture the second set, 7-5. With the pressure building, Finnegan held her nerves together as she grabbed a pivotal break down the stretch to claim the set and the match, 6-4.

"We now take two weeks off from match play, so I think some time away from competition will be good for the girls," Dasso said about Illinois' plans from here. "I think some practice and rest to regroup after today also will be good for this team as we prepare for Big Ten play against Purdue on March 8."

The Illini take two weeks off before continuing their longest stretch of away matches of the season when they open Big Ten play at Purdue on March 8 and then take on Big East foe Notre Dame on Feb. 12. The Illini then hit the airways to travel to Puerto Rico for the Spring Break holiday, taking on North Carolina on March 16 and Princeton on March 21. The Illini finally return home to host Michigan State on March 23.

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON 4, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 3
2/17/2008 AT MERCER ISLAND, WASH. (MERCER ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB)

Singles competition
1. Venise Chan (UW) def. Megan Fudge (ILL) - 6-1, 6-1
2. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Aleksandra Malovic (UW) - 4-6, 7-5, 6-4
3. Tara Simpson (UW) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) - 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
4. Joyce Ardies (UW) def. Shivani Davé (ILL) - 6-2, 6-4
5. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Vanja Radunovic (UW) - 6-3, 6-4
6. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Aleksandra Kriljanim (UW) - 7-5, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Joyce Ardies / Tara Simpson (UW) def. Megan Fudge / Leigh Finnegan (ILL) - 8-4
2. Venise Chan / Kelsey Anonsen (UW) def. Marisa Lambropoulos / Shivani Davé (ILL) - 8-5
3. Aleksandra Malovic / Vanja Radunovic (UW) def. Kristina Minor / Christine Stromberg (ILL) - 8-6

Match Notes
University of Illinois 4-4, National Ranking - 68
University of Washington 8-1, National Ranking - 48
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (1, 5, 6, 4, 3, 2)