March 26, 2010
Box Score
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - The 39th-ranked Illini women's tennis team (8-7) closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule Friday afternoon with a 7-0 victory over College of Charleston (14-9). Illinois swept all three doubles matches for the fourth time in six matches and collected its second shutout of the season.
"It's great to end the trip on a high note," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We took care of business across the board. It was a pretty windy day, but the girls were able to adjust well and stayed composed. Now we're just gearing up for the rest of the Big Ten season, beginning with a talented Purdue team next Sunday."
After cruising in doubles, freshman Rachael White claimed the first singles match for the Illini with a dominating 6-0, 6-1 win over Irene Viana. Sophomore Chelcie Abajian followed with a victory over Keely Mulligan, 6-3, 6-1, and junior Marisa Lambropoulos clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Kinsey Casey. Also recording wins for the Illini was freshman Breanne Smutko, 6-1, 6-3 over Anna Lee Evans, while junior Leigh Finnegan rallied past Laura Borza, 5-7, 6-1, 1-0, and No. 119 senior Megan Fudge topped Caroline Newman, 5-7, 6-2, 1-0.
"Overall, it was just a great job by everyone today," Dasso said. "Bre (Smutko) and Mish (Lambropoulos) played well once again and Rachael (White) stepped in at No. 3 singles and played some solid tennis. She served huge and closed and finished points at the net. It was good to see that confidence and aggressiveness.
The Illini return home on Sunday, April 4 to host No. 33 Purdue at 10 a.m. at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex.
Match Results
#39 Illinois 7, College of Charleston 0
Singles competition
1. #119 Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Caroline Newman (COFC) 5-7, 6-2, 1-0
2. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Kinsey Casey (COFC) 6-2, 6-1
3. Rachael White (ILL) def. Irene Viana (COFC) 6-0, 6-1
4. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Laura Borza (COFC) 5-7, 6-1, 1-0
5. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Anna Lee Evans (COFC) 6-1, 6-3
6. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Keely Mulligan (COFC) 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #55 Leigh Finnegan/Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Kinsey Casey/Irene Viana (COFC) 8-1
2. Chelcie Abajian/Rachael White (ILL) def. Laura Borza/Anna Lee Evans (COFC) 8-7 (7-5)
3. Marisa Lambropoulos/Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Caroline Newman/Keely Mulligan (COFC) 8-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (3,6,2,5,4,1)
