May 1, 2010
Box Score
IOWA CITY, Iowa - One day after rallying back in singles, the third-seeded Illini women's tennis team (15-9) found itself in the opposite position Saturday afternoon against No. 2-seed Northwestern. But despite securing the elusive doubles point, the Wildcats proved to be too much in singles and handed Illinois a 4-2 loss to end its run in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
"It was a very, very close match to a top-five, so obviously we're disappointed," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "But we have to hold our heads high, we played with a lot of heart and determination. We have to give a lot of credit to Northwestern. They came up big on key points."
Junior Marisa Lambropoulos and freshman Breanne Smutko posted the first win of the day for the Illini in doubles, as they topped Samantha Murray and Kate Turvy, 8-4, before the Wildcats answered back with a victory at the top spot. Senior Megan Fudge and sophomore Chelcie Abajian prevailed at the No. 2 spot with an 8-6 win defeat of Maria Mosolova and Elena Chernyakova to give Illinois the early lead.
Northwestern wasted no time getting back on track in singles and quickly took a 2-1 advantage, before Abajian evened the score at two apiece with a straight-sets victory over Linda Abu Mushrefova, 6-3, 6-2. Unfortunately, it was all Wildcats from there on out, as wins at Nos. 1 and 6 ultimately sealed the match.
Illinois, which has been ranked at a season-high No. 21 nationally the past two weeks, will now await its fate for the opening round of the 2010 NCAA Championships scheduled to take place at regional sites, May 14-15. The Division I men's and women's tennis selection announcements will air between 4-5 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 4 on ESPNews. Visit fightingillini.com for additional information at the conclusion of the selection show.
Match Results
#5 Northwestern 4, #21 Illinois 2
Singles competition
1. #13 Maria Mosolova (NW) def. #91 Megan Fudge (ILL) 6-4, 6-3
2. #39 Samantha Murray (NW) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 6-4, 6-2
3. Rachael White (ILL) vs. #116 Lauren Lui (NW) 6-4, 1-6, 5-5, unfinished
4. Kate Turvy (NW) def. Breanne Smutko (ILL) 6-0, 6-1
5. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Linda Abu Mushrefova (NW) 6-3, 6-2
6. Stacey Lee (NW) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Lauren Lui/Linda Abu Mushrefova (NW) def. Leigh Finnegan/Rachael White (ILL) 8-3
2. Megan Fudge/Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Maria Mosolova/Elena Chernyakova (NW) 8-6
3. Marisa Lambropoulos/Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Samantha Murray/Kate Turvy (NW) 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,2,5,6,1)
