Jan. 20, 2009

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The No. 37 Illinois women's tennis team started off the 2009 season with several solid individual performances at the Florida Gulf Coast / Johan Kriek Classic. The four-day event, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University, featured competitors from Missouri, Stetson, Central Florida, Akron, No. 43 South Florida and host Florida Gulf Coast.

"Our trip to Florida this past week was extremely beneficial because it allowed us to ease our way back into competition mode and it also allowed us valuable outdoor practice time," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Our team chemistry is a strength and anytime you are able to take a trip like we did it helps build it up even more. This team is fired up and ready to kick off our first official dual match against Tennessee this Saturday. Playing such a good team at home is a definite advantage for us and we hope to pack Atkins."

Individually, the Illini were led by junior Megan Fudge who went 4-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles. The Kaarst, Germany, native was impressive all weekend with straight sets victories over all four of her opponents in singles. In doubles, Fudge teamed up with sophomore Leigh Finnegan, notching three victories on the weekend.

Another highlight for the Illini was the singles play of Finnegan. The No. 89-ranked Finnegan knocked off South Florida's top-ranked player Jessica Zok (No. 121) in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. On the second day of the tournament, the Wilmington, Del., native downed Central Florida's Elvira Serrot, 6-3, 6-4.

The spring training trip also saw the return of junior Kristina Minor to the courts. After sitting out most of the fall season due to injury, Minor stormed back this weekend tallying four straight sets singles victories over the course of the tournament.

Overall, the Fighting Illini went 21-2 in singles and 8-2 in doubles matches.

The Orange and Blue open up their dual match schedule at home at the Atkins Tennis Center when they welcome No. 24 Tennessee on Saturday, Jan. 24 and Miami of Ohio on Sunday, Jan. 25. Both matches are slated for 12 p.m. starts.

Day One - Results
Illinois vs. USF (Singles)

1. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Jessica Zok (USF) 6-2, 6-3
2. Megan Fudge (ILL) defeated Jessica Sweeting (USF) 6-0, 6-2
3. Iciri Rai (USF) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 7-6 (5), 6-4
4. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Natalia Guevara (USF) 1-6, 6-4, 10-6
5. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Lauren Shumate (USF) 6-2, 6-4
6. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Allyn Mueller (USF) 6-3, 6-4
7. Christine Stromberg (ILL) def. Brittany Wadsworth (FGCU) 6-0, 6-0

Illinois vs. Stetson (doubles)

1. Fudge/Finnegan defeated Galbaini/Purushotham 8-4
2. Lambropolos/Abajian defeated Atkinson/Nowicki 8-1
3. Dave/Allin defeated Gunning/StClair 8-2
4. Minor/McCarthy defeated Gorham/Faulk 8-2

Illinois vs. Missouri (doubles)

1. Fudge/Finnegan defeated Weber/Mera 8-5
2. Lambropolos/Abajian defeated Giuggioli/Ritchie 8-3
3. Dave/Allin defeated Ayala/Day 9-7

Day Two - Results
Illinois vs. UCF (singles)

1. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. E. Serrot 6-3, 6-4
2. Megan Fudge (ILL) def. A. Yacaman 6-0, 6-2
3. J. Frisell def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(3)
4. Chelcie Abajain (ILL) def. A. Rodriguez 6-4, 6-3
5. Amy Allin (ILL) def. C. Core 6-3, 6-1
6. Kristina Minor (ILL) def.K. Orletsky 7-6(5), 6-4
7. Shivani Dave (ILL) def. K. Belbacha 6-3, 6-3
Annie McCarthy (ILL) def. Brittany Wadsworth (FGCU) 6-0, 6-2
Christine Stromberg (ILL) defeated Heather St. John (FGCU) 6-1, 6-1

Day Three - Results
Illinois vs. USF (doubles)

1. Fudge Finnegan defeated Rai/Zok 8-2
2. Lambropolous/Abajian lost to Sweeting/Guevara 9-7
3. Dave/Allin lost to Mueller/Shumate 9-8 (6)

Illinois vs. Stetson (singles)

1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def.Atkinson 6-2, 6-2
2. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Nowicki 6-2, 6-3
3. Shivani Dave (ILL) def. Faulk 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
4. Amy Allin (ILL) def.Gorham 6-0, 6-0
5. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. St. Clair 6-0, 6-0

Day Four Results
Illinois vs. FGCU (singles)

1. Megan Fudge (ILL) def.Priscillia Villemond 6-1, 6-2
2. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def.Eva Sambrano 6-2, 6-2
3. Kristina Minor (ILL) def.Joanne Power 6-3, 6-1
4. Shivani Dave (ILL) def.Leah Johnson 6-7(7), 0-6, 10-8
5. Annie McCarthy (ILL) def. Maggie Caulk 6-2, 6-1
6. Christine Stromberg (ILL) def.Brittany Wadsworth 6-0, 6-0

Amy Allin (ILL) def.Tanya Gombera (Akron) 6-1, 6-1