March 27, 2009
Box Score
MANOA, Hawai'i- The No.33-ranked Illinois women's tennis team dropped a close contest today against the No. 36 Washington Huskies, 4-3, at the UH Tennis Complex in Manoa, Hawai'i. The Illini, who fell behind early after dropping the doubles point, were not able to pull off the come-from-behind victory in singles despite tough performances across the lineup.
"Today was a heartbreaking loss," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Our girls put everything on the line and it is disappointing to fall to Washington, 4-3, for the third year in row. We have to learn from today and respond tomorrow against a tough Hawai'I team."
With the loss, the Illini fall to 11-4 overall on the year.
In doubles, the Illini tandem of junior Megan Fudge and sophomore Marisa Lambropoulos easily took care of Washington's Venice Chan and Aleksandra Malovic at No. 2 doubles, 8-1. However, the Huskies notched wins on courts 1 and 3 to secure the doubles point and an early 1-0 lead.
In singles, the Orange and Blue battled on every court. In the No. 2 slot, junior Megan Fudge, currently ranked No. 108 in the country, dropped her first set to No. 69-ranked Denise Dy (WASH), 3-6. However, the feisty Fudge rallied in the second set, 6-4, forcing a third set. In the deciding set, the Kaarst, Germany, native tallied the win with a 6-4 victory. Fudge is now 14-1 in dual matches and 20-5 overall on the year.
The Fighting Illini also notched victories at Nos. 3 and 4 singles on the afternoon. On court three, the play of sophomore Marisa Lambropoulos proved to be too much for the Huskies' Samantha Smith, as the Lake Forest, Illinois native grabbed a straight sets, 6-3, 6-3 win.
Rounding out the Illini singles victories on the day, freshman Chelcie Abajian battled hard at No. 4 singles to a straight sets win over Lina Xu (WASH), 7-5, 7-6 (5). With the win, Abajian notched the 20th win of her freshman campaign.
The Illini continue their spring training trip in Hawai'i tomorrow, Mar. 28, as they face the Rainbow Wahine at 10 a.m. Hawai'i standard time/ 3 p.m. CT. A full recap can be found at fightingillini.com at the conclusion of the match.
Match Results
#36 Washington 4, #32 Illinois 3
March 27, 2009
UH Tennis Complex
Manoa, Hawai'i
Singles Competition
1) #27 Venice Chan (WASH) def. #86 Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 6-4, 6-3
2) #108 Megan Fudge (ILL) def. #69 Denise Dy (WASH) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
3) Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Samantha Smith (WASH) 6-3, 6-3
4) Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Lina Xu (WASH) 7-5, 7-6 (5)
5) Joyce Ardies (WASH) def. Amy Allin (ILL) 7-5, 6-2
6) Aleksandra Malovic (WASH) def. Shivani Davé (ILL) 6-1, 6-4
Doubles Competition
1) Joyce Ardies/Denise Dy (WASH) def. Leigh Finnegan / Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 8-3
2) Megan Fudge / Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Venice Chan/Aleksandra Malovic (WASH) 8-1
3) Lina Xu/Samantha Smith (WASH) def. Amy Allin / Annie McCarthy (ILL) 8-5
