Illini Overpower Hawkeyes, 6-1

Women's Tennis April 20, 2008

Illini Overpower Hawkeyes, 6-1

April 20, 2008

2008 Big Ten Tournament Bracket in PDF Format

Urbana, Ill. - The No. 54 Illinois women's tennis team sent its seniors out in style with a dominating 6-1 win over the No. 56 Iowa Hawkeyes, this afternoon at the Atkins Tennis Center. The victory over the Hawkeyes extends the Illinois' conference winning streak to three, and improves their overall record to 11-9 and 7-3 in the Big Ten heading into the Big Ten Tournament next week.

"Singles got it done for us today," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We struggled in doubles, but I could not be more proud of the girls for sweeping in singles, especially against a talented team like Iowa. It was great for Momei (Qu) to start off the victories since it was our senior day. I couldn't be more pleased with our performance today and the way we closed out the regular season."

In doubles action, an arch nemesis for the Illini throughout the season, the Orange and Blue could not seem to get their footing. The Hawkeyes swept the doubles point taking a 1-0 lead into singles.

In between doubles and singles, Illini fans were treated to an exhibition tennis match between members of the Illinois men's basketball team. It was the guards, Jeff Jordan and Demetri McCamey, against the forwards, Richard Semrau and Mike Davis. Jordan and McCamey stole the show and won the match with their impressive tennis skills.

In her last home match of her Illinois career, senior Momei Qu put the Illini on the board with an impressive 6-4, 6-1 win over Kayla Berry at No. 6 singles. Qu and fellow senior Alejandra Meza Cuadra were honored before the match for their accomplishments during their careers at Illinois.

Sophomore Megan Fudge continued her winning ways, easily taking care of Jacqueline Lee (IOWA) in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. Fudge, the Big Ten reigning player of the week, is now on a five conference match winning streak and is 21-11 overall.

Redshirt-freshman Leigh Finnegan battled three sets with Milica Veselinovic (IOWA). In the end, it was Finnegan (ILL) who persevered to clinch the match for the Orange and Blue going, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4.

"We are really looking forward to the Big Ten Tournament next week," Dasso added. "This weekend was an awesome way to end the regular season and it just shows that the girls are having fun out there and believing in our program."

Illinois next heads to the 2008 Big Ten Tournament hosted by Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., next Thursday-Sunday, April 24-27. The No. 4 seed Illini (11-9, 7-3) will face No. 5 seed Ohio State (19-6, 6-4) at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, April 25.

Tennis Match Results
University of Iowa vs. University of Illinois
4/20/2008 at Urbana, Ill.

#54 University of Illinois 6, #56 University of Iowa 1

Singles competition
1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Jacqueline Lee (IOWA) 6-2, 6-3
2. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Milica Veselinovic (IOWA) 6-4, 0-6, 6-4
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Alexis Dorr (IOWA) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (5)
4. Shivani Dave (ILL) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (IOWA) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
5. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Kelcie Klockenga (IOWA) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
6. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Kayla Berry (IOWA) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Jacqueline Lee/Alexis Dorr (IOWA) def. Megan Fudge/Shivani Dave (ILL) 8-6
2. Milica Veselinovic/Kayla Berry (IOWA) def. Marisa Lambropoulos/Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 8-5
3. Lynne Poggensee-Wei/Kelcie Klockenga (IOWA) def. Annie McCarthy/Kristina Minor (ILL) 8-5

Match Notes:
University of Iowa 12-9, 3-7; National ranking #56
University of Illinois 11-9, 7-3; National ranking #54
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,1,2,3,4)

University of Illinois vs. University of Iowa
April 20, 2008
Atkins Tennis Center
Urbana,Ill.
T-3:57 A-137

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