Five Illini Collect Wins in Final Day of Midwest Blast

Women's Tennis November 7, 2010

Five Illini Collect Wins in Final Day of Midwest Blast

Nov. 7, 2010

URBANA, Ill. - The Illini women's tennis team concluded the weekend on a high note, tallying six wins on the day, including five in singles, to close out play at the 2010 Midwest Blast Sunday at Atkins Tennis Center. The Orange and Blue claimed five of six singles matches from Memphis, while also knocking off a Notre Dame doubles tandem. The structure of the tournament, which features three straight days of matches, proved to be quite rewarding for the Illini.

"I think it's great," assistant coach Georgia Rose said. "It shows that we're in shape and put the work in. It's extremely valuable. Every girl got a lot of matches this weekend and we learned a lot about what we need to work on and what we're doing well. The competition this weekend was tough, because they're all great teams, so there were no easy matches, but I think that only helps us. This is the standard of play we'll see all spring and we've got to be able to match it."

Senior Annie McCarthy led the way with two singles wins on the weekend, while juniors Amy Allin and Chelcie Abajian, sophomore Breanne Smutko and freshman Allison Falkin each tallied their first this afternoon. In doubles, Falkin and redshirt senior Leigh Finnegan tallied their second doubles win of the weekend, defeating Shannon Mathews and Julie Sabacinski of Notre Dame, 8-6.

The Midwest Blast concludes the fall season for the Illini, who will return to action in January for the start of the spring season.

Illinois Results - Day 3

Doubles
Kristen Rafael/Britney Sanders (ND) def. Rachael White/Misia Kedzierski (ILL), 8-2
Leigh Finnegan/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Shannon Mathews/Julie Sabacinski (ND), 8-6
Jennifer Kellner/Chrissie McGaffigan (ND) def. Chelcie Abajian/Amy Allin (ILL), 8-4

Singles
Courtney Collins (MEM) def. Misia Kedzierski (ILL), 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
Amy Allin (ILL) def. Stefanie Mikesz (MEM), 7-6 (4), 6-2
Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Kathleen Hawkins (MEM), 6-4, 6-2
Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Kelly Gray (MEM), 6-1, 6-2
Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Andrea Arques-Garcia (MEM), 6-2, 6-2
Annie McCarthy (ILL) def. Sarah Witkowski (MEM), 6-2, 6-3