March 19, 2010
Photo Gallery
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - Playing under the lights for the first time at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, the 31st-ranked Illini women's tennis team (7-6, 2-1 Big Ten) captured its fourth straight win of the season and second consecutive in Big Ten play with a 5-2 victory over Wisconsin (5-10, 0-2) Friday night. Sophomore Chelcie Abajian clinched the win with a straight sets defeat of Angela Chupa, 7-5, 6-2.
"It was unbelievable for us to get a match outside before we play South Carolina," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "It wasn't as cold as we thought it would be and the girls just buckled down and did a great job. It was nice to sweep doubles again and I thought the girls responded really well in their first outdoor match of the year. Without having Rachael White in for singles, it just showed the amount of depth we have. Amy (Allin) was ready to step in because of the extra work and hits and conditioning that's put in from all the girls who aren't consistently in the lineup. We have complete confidence in the depth of our program and it showed today."
After sweeping all three doubles matches, junior Leigh Finnegan kept the momentum going for the Illini, as she knocked off Jessica Seyferth at the No. 3 spot for her sixth straight win of the season, 6-1, 6-4. Sophomore Amy Allin, who filled in for freshman Rachael White who was under the weather, followed with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Aleksandra Markovic and Abajian sealed the win moments later. No. 119 senior Megan Fudge tallied the final point for Illinois with her fourth straight win, a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Katya Mirnova.
The Illini will hit the road for two matches next week beginning at No. 22 South Carolina on Wednesday, March 24 at 1 p.m. CT.
Match Results
#31 Illinois 5, Wisconsin 2
Singles competition
1. #119 Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Katya Mirnova (WISC) 6-3, 6-2
2. Hannah Berner (WISC) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-8)
3. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Jessica Seyferth (WISC) 6-1, 6-4
4. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Angela Chupa (WISC) 7-5, 6-2
5. Alaina Trgovich (WISC) def. Breanne Smutko (ILL) 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 1-0 (10-8)
6. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WISC) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #55 Leigh Finnegan/Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Hannah Berner/Alaina Trgovich (WISC) 8-0
2. Chelcie Abajian/Rachael White (ILL) def. Kathleen Saltarelli/Jessica Seyferth (WISC) 8-4
3. Breanne Smutko/Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Angela Chupa/Katya Mirnova (WISC) 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (3,6,4,1,2,5)
