May 14, 2010
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - A hard-fought battle ended in favor of Nebraska (22-5) Friday afternoon at Vandy Christie Tennis Center on the campus of Northwestern University, as the 22nd-ranked Illini women's tennis team (15-10) suffered a 4-2 loss in the first round of the NCAA Championships. The 37th-ranked Huskers advance to the second round to face sixth-seeded Northwestern Saturday at noon.
"We're so disappointed, but it was a very good year for us," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We reached the top 25 in the national rankings and we'll use this loss to motivate us to work harder throughout the summer and fall. I'm thankful for the girls' work ethic all year long and am appreciative of all the hard work they've put in to make the program better. I'd like to thank the seniors as well for everything they've done for us and the program. They will be missed."
The Illini got off to a solid start in doubles, cruising to an 8-0 victory at the two spot behind strong play from senior Megan Fudge and sophomore Chelcie Abajian, before junior Marisa Lambropoulos and freshman Breanne Smutko gave Illinois the edge with an 8-5 victory over Jennifer Holmberg and Mary Weatherholt. In singles, freshman Rachael White rallied back to defeat Wiveca Swarting, 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 to give Illinois a 2-1 advantage, but unfortunately the Huskers had other plans in mind for the remaining matches and went on to claim the next three to secure the 4-2 win.
Fudge ends her collegiate career with the third-most singles wins in school history, with 97, while her 73 career doubles victories is good for eighth all-time. She tallied a team-best 23 wins overall to secure her fourth-straight 20-win season. Abajian posted 21 wins on the year for her second consecutive 20-win season, while Lambropoulos tied her career-best mark with 22 wins for the second straight year and Smutko also recorded 22 wins for her freshman campaign.
The Illini finish the season with a 15-10 record overall, including nine wins over nationally ranked opponents and made their third straight NCAA Championship appearance and 10th overall.
Match Results
#37 Nebraska 4, #22 Illinois 2
Singles competition
1. #77 Mary Weatherholt (NEB) def. #85 Megan Fudge (ILL) 0-6, 6-3, 7-5
2. Madeleine Geibert (NEB) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 6-3, 6-2
3. Rachael White (ILL) def. Wiveca Swarting (NEB) 5-7, 6-0, 6-2
4. Stefanie Weinstein (NEB) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Breanne Smutko (ILL) vs. Janine Weinreich (NEB) 6-7 (7-9), 6-4, 0-1, unfinished
6. Jennifer Holmberg (NEB) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 7-6 (7-3), 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Madeleine Geibert/Stefanie Weinstein (NEB) def. Leigh Finnegan/Rachael White (ILL) 8-4
2. Megan Fudge/Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Wiveca Swarting/Janine Weinreich (NEB) 8-0
3. Marisa Lambropoulos/Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Jennifer Holmberg/Mary Weatherholt (NEB) 8-5
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,3,6,4,1)
