No. 26 Illini Top Penn State, 7-0

Women's Tennis April 18, 2010

No. 26 Illini Top Penn State, 7-0

April 18, 2010

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The 26th-ranked Illini women's tennis team (13-7, 7-1 Big Ten) picked up right where it left off with a 7-0 defeat of Penn State (4-16, 0-8) Sunday afternoon at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. In the final regular-season home match of the season, Illinois secured its third shutout of the year and extended its winning streak to seven consecutive in the Big Ten and six straight overall. Michigan remains atop the conference standings with a 9-0 mark, while the Illini are currently tied for second place with Northwestern.

"It was an unbelievable weekend and we're in a phenomenal situation right now," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We'll play for a share of the Big Ten title next weekend at Michigan. Our seniors were amazing today. All three of them got a chance to get out there and compete in their last home Big Ten match. Across the board, the heart and character that they have possessed in their entire careers has made a lasting impact on our program. They're leaving our program better because of their hardwork and taking care of the little things. We won one Big Ten match their first year and now we'll be playing for a share of the Big Ten title."

After edging the Nittany Lions for the doubles point, it was business as usual in singles, as freshman Breanne Smutko claimed her seventh consecutive win and 20th of the season, while junior Leigh Finnegan tallied her sixth straight win and 15th on the year and sophomore Amy Allin clinched the match with her 17th victory for the Illini. No. 90 senior Megan Fudge added her team-best 22nd win of the season and 96th of her career. She is now seven away from tying Lindsey Nimmo for second all-time on the career singles chart and needs just nine more to tie Jennifer McGaffigan for the school record of 105. Also capturing wins on the day were freshman Rachael White and senior Kristina Minor.

Illinois will close out the regular season next weekend beginning with No. 4 Michigan on Saturday, April 24 at 11 a.m. CT.

Match Results
#26 Illinois 7, Penn State 0

Singles competition
1. #90 Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Amy Simidian (PSU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Lauren McCarthy (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Rachael White (ILL) def. Denisa Zobeideh (PSU) 7-5, 6-3
4. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Maria Prishlyak (PSU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Sarah Henderson (PSU) 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (10-6)
6. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Sarah Lotto (PSU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)

Doubles competition
1. Chelcie Abajian/Rachael White (ILL) def. Amy Simidian/Sarah Lotto (PSU) 8-6
2. #51 Leigh Finnegan/Megan Fudge (ILL) def. Lauren McCarthy/Denisa Zobeideh (PSU) 8-4
3. Michaela Stracar/Maria Prishlyak (PSU) def. Breanne Smutko/Christine Stromberg (ILL) 8-6

Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (4,2,6,1,3,5)

Print Friendly Version