April 12, 2009
Box Score
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 36 Illinois women's tennis continued its red-hot conference season this afternoon, downing the Penn State Nittany Lions, 7-0 at University Park, Pa. The Illini started off sweeping all three doubles matches to take the important early lead and did not drop a set in singles in the victory.
With the win, Illinois improves to 16-5 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, while the Nittany Lions fall to 5-15 overall and 2-6 in the conference.
"We couldn't have completed the weekend any better," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "All of the girls played extremely well and can carry a great deal of confidence away from this road trip. Next weekend we have the opportunity to battle for second place in the Big Ten and that's an unbelievable feeling and a true testament to the hard work everyone has put in this season."
The solid play of the Illinois doubles lineup was in full force today. At No. 2 doubles, the Illini duo, of Megan Fudge and Marisa Lambropoulos, was tied early on with the Nittany Lions' Denisa Zobeideh and Leyla Morzan, 3-3, but pulled away taking the match, 8-3. At No. 1 doubles, the Illinois tandem of Leigh Finnegan and Chelcie Abajian stormed out to a 3-0 lead and never looked back, tallying a 8-5 win on court one to clinch the doubles point. Illinois freshman Amy Allin and sophomore Annie McCarthy put the final touches on the doubles sweep, with an 8-5 victory at No. 3 doubles over Penn State's Monkia Mical and Dorothy Dohanics.
Abajian (ILL) started the singles sweep for Illinois off on court three, with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Dorothy Dohanics (PSU). Fellow freshman Amy Allin finished next, tallying a straight sets 6-2, 6-3 victory against the Nittany Lions Maria Prishlyak.
Sophomore Marisa Lambropoulos provided the match-clinching win at No. 4 singles for Illinois. In another straight sets victory for the Orange and Blue, the Lake Forest, Ill., native defeated Penn State's Leyla Morzan, 6-1, 6-4.
No. 111-ranked redshirt-sophomore Leigh Finnegan (ILL) and No. 108-ranked junior Megan Fudge (ILL) inched the Illini closer with wins at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. While, Illinois junior Kristina Minor put the polishing touches on the sweep with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Penn State's Sarah Lotto at No. 6 singles.
UP NEXT
The Illini conclude the regular season at home next weekend as they welcome Michigan State (4/18) and Michigan (4/19) into town. Illinois will honor lone senior Shivani Davé before Sunday's match against the Wolverines. First serve at both matches is set for 12 p.m. CT.
Match Results
#36 Illinois 7, Penn State 0
April 12, 2009 at University Park, Pa.
Singles competition
1. No. 111 Leigh Finnegan (UI) def. Lauren McCarthy (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
2. No. 108 Megan Fudge (UI) def. Denisa Zobeideh (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Chelcie Abajian (UI) def. Dorothy Dohanics (PSU) 6-1, 6-3
4. Marisa Lambropoulos (UI) def. Leyla Morzan (PSU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Amy Allin (UI) def. Maria Prishlyak (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Kristina Minor (UI) def. Sarah Lotto (PSU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles competition
1.Leigh Finnegan/Chelcie Abajian (UI) def. Sarah Lotto/Lauren McCarthy (PSU) 8-5
2.Marisa Lambropoulos/Megan Fudge (UI) def. Denisa Zobeideh/Leyla Morzan (PSU) 8-3
3.Annie McCarthy/Amy Ali (UI) def. Dorothy Dohanics/Monika Mical (PSU) 8-5
Match Notes:
University of Illinois 16-5, 7-1; National ranking #36
Penn State 5-15, 2-6
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,5,4,1,2,6)
