March 15, 2009
Box Score
MADISON, Wisc. - The No. 33 Illinois women's tennis team rebounded quickly from its first conference loss of the season on Friday, downing the No. 72 Wisconsin Badgers, 6-1, this afternoon at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. The Orange and Blue dropped the doubles point early on, but rebounded strongly, sweeping all singles matches for the win.
"We are excited to get a 3-1 start to the conference season", Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Today, it was unfortunate that we lost the doubles point, but the girls fought hard in singles and got the wins. Leigh (Finnegan) stepped up big for us today, playing some of the best tennis I've seen her play at No. 1 singles. She stayed composed throughout her match and got the straight sets victory."
In doubles, the Illini tandem of junior Megan Fudge and sophomore Marisa Lambropoulos got on the board early, taking an 8-5 win at No. 2. The Badgers struck back as the No.44-ranked duo of Liz Carpenter and Angela Chupa (WIS) edged out Illinois' Leigh Finnegan and Chelcie Abajian at No. 1 doubles, 8-4. In the end, it all came down to the action at No. 3 doubles where the Illini duo of Amy Allin and Annie McCarthy battled against Wisconsin's Emese Karhardo and Aleksandra Markovic. With the score tied at 8-8 the two tandems went into a tiebreaker, where the Badger's came out on top, 9-8 (5), to take the early lead.
The Orange and Blue quickly rebounded in singles as the Illini got straight sets victories at Nos. 1-4 in the lineup. Freshman Chelcie Abajian was the first to tally a victory as she bageled the Badger's Emese Kardhardo in the first set 6-0, then dominated the second set, 6-1, for the win.
No. 86-ranked Leigh Finnegan was the next Illini to notch a victory. The dominant play of Finnegan was too much for Wisconsin's Liz Carpenter at No. 1 singles, as the Wilmington, Del., native took a straight sets, 6-2, 6-3 win. Finnegan is now 10-4 in dual matches this season.
At No. 3 singles, sophomore Marisa Lambropoulos inched the Illini closer to victory as she took a 6-4, 7-6 (0) win over the Badgers' Aleksandra Markovic. Freshman Amy Allin clinched the match victory for Illinois as she battled to a three-set win over Wisconsin's Jessica Seyferth, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 5 singles.
The Illini completed the singles sweep over the Badgers as senior Shivani Davé and junior Megan Fudge each notched victories on their respective courts. Davé is now 7-1 in dual matches, while Fudge improved to 13-1.
UP NEXT The Illini have a break in action before heading to Honolulu, Hawaii for the team's annual spring break trip where they will take on Washington on March 27 and then face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors on March 28.
Match Results
#33 Illinois 6, #72 Wisconsin 1
March 15, 2009
Nielsen Tennis Stadium
Singles Competition
1) #86 Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Liz Carpenter (WIS) 6-2, 6-3
2) Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Katya Mirnova (WIS) 7-5, 6-1
3) Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 6-4, 7-6 (0)
4) Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Emese Kardhordo (WIS) 6-0, 6-1
5) Amy Allin (ILL) def. Jessica Seyferth (WIS) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
6) Shivani Davé (ILL) def. Angela Chupa (WIS) 6-2, 6-7 (0), 1-0 (10-5)
Order of Finish: 4,1,3,5,6,2
Doubles Competion
1) #44 Liz Carpenter/Angela Chupa (WIS) def. Leigh Finnegan / Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 8-4
2) Megan Fudge / Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Katya Mirnova/Jessica Seyferth (WIS) 8-5
3) Emese Kardhardo/Aleksandra Markovic def. Amy Allin / Annie McCarthy (ILL) 9-8 (5)
