Illini Drop Close Match to Lady Vols, 4-3

Women's Tennis January 24, 2009

Illini Drop Close Match to Lady Vols, 4-3

Jan. 24, 2009

URBANA, Ill. - The No. 37 Illinois women's tennis team battled long and hard against the No. 24 Tennessee Lady Volunteers, but fell short 4-3 in its season opener at the Atkins Tennis Center, this afternoon. In such a close match, it was the pivotal doubles point that proved to be the decider, as Tennessee clinched the point to open the match and they were able to hold onto that lead for the remainder of the afternoon.

"I'm probably the happiest I could be for losing 4-3," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "I think the girls battled their tails off and I think we're narrowing the gap. We lost to them twice last year, 6-1 and 4-0, and it was 4-3 today in a match that was determined by points. I thought we played better in doubles, but I was a little disappointed when it came down to the wire and the difference in the match today was playing to win the big points. We got a little tentative in the final two doubles matches and that made a difference. Everyone on the team has shown a huge amount of growth and now we just have to focus on getting our first dual-match win tomorrow against Miami (Ohio). It'll be interesting to see how the girls respond tomorrow and if they come prepared to play like they did today, I feel confident about our chances."

With the loss Illinois drops to 0-1 on the young season, while the Lady Vols improve to 1-0.

In doubles, the Illini started out strong, but could not keep the momentum going. After the Lady Vols took a quick victory at No. 3 doubles, the attention turned to close matches at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles. The Illini had several chances at both spots but could not capitalize on the opportunities as the Lady Vols rebounded from being down on both courts to sweep all doubles matches and take an early 1-0 lead.

The Lady Vols carried the momentum from doubles into singles as they took victories at No. 6, 4, and 3 singles to take a 4-0 lead. The Illini narrowed the gap, but in the end the pivotal doubles point proved to be the deciding factor.

Junior Megan Fudge was the first to get the Illini on the board. The Kaarst, Germany, native took a decisive straight sets victory over Tennessee's Rosalia Alda, 6-4, 6-3.

At No. 1 singles, redshirt-sophomore No. 89 Leigh Finnegan was no match for her opponent, No. 92-ranked Caitlin Whoriskey, in the first set, as Finnegan bageled Whoriskey, 6-0. Whoriskey (UT) fired back in the second set, 6-4, to force a deciding third set. It was all Finnegan in the final set, as the Wilmington, Del., native capitalized on costly errors by Whoriskey, to take the final set and the match, 6-3.

"Leigh played extremely well out on the court in singles today," Dasso added. "She's shown so much growth out there this year. She's focused on her conditioning and she's making so many more balls then she ever would've a year ago.

Closing out the Illini victories on the afternoon was freshman Amy Allin at No. 5 singles. Allin took a dominant 6-2 first set victory over Tennessee's Zsofia Zubor. Allin then fell behind in the second set as Zubor (UT) evened the score at one set all. In the third set, the Illini freshman showed the maturity of an upperclassmen as she battled neck and neck with the Tennessee junior Zubor. In the end, Allin prevailed, taking the match 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.

The Fighting Illini return to the courts tomorrow when they host Miami of Ohio at the Atkins Tennis Center. First serve is set for 12 p.m. Livestats and a complete recap of results can be found at fightingillini.com.

Match Results
#24 Tennessee 4, #37 Illinois 3
1/24/2009 Urbana, Ill.
Atkins Tennis Center

Doubles Competition
1) Caitlin Whoriskey / Zsofia Zubor (TEN) def. Leigh Finnegan / Megan Fudge (ILL) 8-6
2) Maria Sorbello / Rosalia Alda (TEN) def. Marisa Lambropoulos / Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 9-7
3) Jennifer Meredith / Natalie Pluskota (TEN) def. Shivani Davé / Amy Allin (ILL) 8-4

Singles Competition
1) #89 Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. #92 Caitlin Whoriskey (TEN) 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
2) Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Rosalia Alda (TEN) 6-4, 6-3
3) Natalie Pluskota (TEN) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 6-4, 6-3
4) #77 Samantha Orlin (TEN) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
5) Amy Allin (ILL) def. Zsofia Zubor (TEN) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
6) Jennifer Meredith (TEN) def. Kristina Minor (ILL) 6-3, 6-4