April 19, 2008
Box Score | Photo Gallery 1 
| Photo Gallery 2
Urbana, Ill. - The No. 54 Illinois women's tennis team clinched a tight 4-3 victory over the No. 69 Minnesota Golden Gophers this afternoon at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini were led by the sensational play of freshman Marisa Lambropoulus and sophomore Megan Fudge, each coming back from a deficit to down their opponents in third-set victories. With the win, the Illini improve to an overall record of 10-9 and 6-3 in the Big Ten, while Minnesota falls to 13-10, 2-7 Big Ten.
"We won today on heart, and I'm very proud of the girls," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We came out flat in doubles, but regrouped and I can't say enough about how Marisa Lambropoulus played today. She fought hard and overcame two match points to get the victory. For a freshman, to do that for our team is huge. Marisa and Megan (Fudge) did not give up and that's the reason we won. Their hearts were in it, they stayed focused and you have to credit the girls."
The Orange and Blue came out sluggish in doubles action this afternoon. The Illini tandem of Annie McCarthy and Kristina Minor, started the Illini off right, cruising past the Minnesota duo of Danielle Mousseau and Jackie Sperling, 8-3, at No. 3 doubles. However, the Gophers claimed victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles to clinch the doubles point and take a 1-0 lead into singles play.
In singles action, senior Momei Qu put the Illini on the board with a straight sets victory over Jackie Sperling (MINN), 6-4, 6-2. With the Illini down 3-1, Sophomore Kristina Minor started comeback for the Orange and Blue, as she battled to a 7-5, 6-4, win over Danielle Mousseau (MINN).
With the score 3-2 favoring the Gophers, all eyes turned to the action at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. After losing the first set 6-2, the freshman Lambropoulous forced a third set with a thrilling 7-6 (8) victory in the second set tiebreaker. Lambropoulus did not waste any time downing Karina Chiarelli, 6-1 in the third set.
With the score 3-3, the focus and intensity shifted to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Megan Fudge, a proven leader for the Illini all season, struggled through the first set falling 6-4. However, Fudge, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, came back focused and determined in the second set prevailing 6-4 over Alessandra Ferrazzi (MINN). With the match on the line, Fudge rallied to a 6-2 third set victory to clinch the match for the Orange and Blue. With the win at No. 1 singles, Fudge is now 20-11 on the season, marking her second-straight 20 match win season. The Kaarst, Germany native has now won her last four conference matches.
The Orange and Blue are back in action tomorrow against the No. 56 Iowa Hawkeyes at the Atkins Tennis Center. Seniors Momei Qu and Alejandra Meza Cuadra will be recognized at their final home match of their careers. First serve is set for 11 a.m. CT. In between doubles and singles, members of the Illinois men's basketball team will face off against each other in an exhibition tennis match. Illinois' match against the Hawkeyes can be followed through live scoring, while a full recap will be available at the conclusion of the match. Both features can be found at fightingillini.com.
Match Notes
University of Minnesota vs. University of Illinois
4/19/2008 at Urbana, Ill.
#54 University of Illinois 4, #69 University of Minnesota 3
Singles competition
1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Alessandra Ferrazzi (MINN) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Lindsay Risebrough (MINN) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 6-4, 6-2
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Karina Chiarelli (MINN) 2-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-1
4. Tijana Koprivica (MINN) def. Shivani Dave (ILL) 7-5, 6-2
5. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Danielle Mousseau (MINN) 7-5, 6-4
6. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Jackie Sperling (MINN) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Karina Chiarelli/Lindsay Risebrough (MINN) def. Megan Fudge/Shivani Dave (ILL) 9-7
2. Alessandra Ferrazzi/Tijana Koprivica (MINN) def. Leigh Finnegan/Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 8-3
3. Annie McCarthy/Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Danielle Mousseau/Jackie Sperling (MINN) 8-3
Match Notes:
University of Minnesota 13-10, 2-7; National ranking #69
University of Illinois 10-9, 6-3; National ranking #54
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (2,6,4,5,3,1)
University of Illinois vs. University of Minnesota
April 19, 2008
Atkins Tennis Center
Urbana, Ill.
A-129
