Nov. 4, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Illini women's tennis team went 5-1 in doubles action on Friday at the Schwartz Tennis Challenge, hosted by Purdue, while freshman Melissa Kopinski picked up the lone singles victory for the Orange and Blue.
"We have plenty of doubles combinations to choose from," Illini head coach Michelle Dasso said. "The girls understand that with the caliber of players on our squad this year, they have to prove themselves at each practice and competition. Georgia Tech was an NCAA Sweet 16 team last year and we had them on the ropes. We need to make little adjustments here and there in order to win those ten-point tiebreakers in the third sets but that's the difference maker in top-notch programs - playing better in pressure situations."
The Illini got off to a strong start, taking two of three doubles matches against competitors from Georgia Tech. The 37th-ranked duo of senior Chelcie Abajian and junior Breanne Smutko took down Elizabeth Kilborn and Lynn Blau, 8-6, while senior Amy Allin and newcomer Kopinski teamed up to topple Alex Anghelescu and Jasmine Minor, 8-3. Illinois' only doubles loss against the Yellow Jackets came to sixth-ranked tandem Caroline Lilley and Jillian O'Neill.
The Illini continued their doubles success with three wins against Big Ten foe Iowa, as sophomore Allison Falkin and Kopinski downed Ellen Silver and Shelby Talcott, 8-3. Abajian and Smutko picked up their second victory of the day with an 8-4 win over Christina Harazin and Katie Zordani, while Allin and freshman Julia Jamieson added an 8-4 victory over Cassandra Escobar and Ally Majercik.
The Orange and Blue could not maintain their early momentum, however, as the Illini went 1-5 in singles play against Georgia Tech. Kopinski picked up the only victory with a quick 6-3, 6-3 sweep over Jasmine Minor. But the Illini came close in four of their matches, as senior Marisa Lambropoulos, Falkin, Smutko and sophomore Misia Kedzierski each lost in a super tiebreak.
The Illini will return to action tomorrow morning to take on Vanderbilt in singles play at 9 a.m. CT and will face Purdue in singles action at 4 p.m. CT.
Results and recap will be available at fightingillini.com.
Shwartz Tennis Challenge - Illini Results
Georgia Tech vs. Illinois
#6 Caroline Lilley/Jillian O'Neill (Georgia Tech) def. Marisa Lambropoulos/Allison Falkin (Illinois), 8-5
#37 Chelcie Abajian/Breanne Smutko (Illinois) def. Elizabeth Kilborn/Lynn Blau (Georgia Tech), 8-6
Amy Allin/Melissa Kopinski (Illinois) def. Alex Anghelescu/Jasmine Minor (Georgia Tech), 8-3
Iowa vs. Illinois
Allison Falkin/Melissa Kopinski (Illinois) def. Ellen Silver/Shelby Talcott (Iowa), 8-3
#37 Chelcie Abajian/Breanne Smutko (Illinois) def. Christina Harazin/Katie Zordani (Iowa), 8-4
Amy Allin/Julia Jamieson (Illinois) def. Cassandra Escobar/Ally Majercik (Iowa), 8-4
Georgia Tech vs. Illinois
#21 Jillian O'Neill (Georgia Tech) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (Illinois), 6-4, 3-6, 12-10
#69 Caroline Lilley (Georgia Tech) def. Amy Allin (Illinois), 6-2, 6-3
#44 Christina Ngo (Georgia Tech) def. Allison Falkin (Illinois), 6-3, 6-7 (2), 10-6
Melissa Kopinski (Illinois) def. Jasmine Minor (Georgia Tech), 6-3, 6-3
#124 Lynn Blau (Georgia Tech) def. Breanne Smutko (Illinois), 3-6, 6-4, 10-4
Muriel Wacker (Georgia Tech) def. Misia Kedzierski (Illinois), 5-7, 6-4, 10-8
