March 16, 2011

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois women's tennis team (3-6) returns to action for its final home match of the month, as it is set to host Western Michigan (6-7) this Friday at 6 p.m. at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini lead the all-time series with the Broncos, 9-8, and have won five of the last seven matches dating back to 2001.

Live scoring for the match will be available HERE.

CAMPBELL/ITA NATIONAL RANKINGS
In new individual rankings released Tuesday, sophomore Rachael White came in at No. 98 in singles, while sophomore Breanne Smutko earned her first-career ranking at No. 117. In doubles, White checked in at No. 18 with freshman Allison Falkin and Smutko is No. 62 with junior Chelcie Abajian. White and Falkin currently lead the team with 11 wins overall, with Abajian and Smutko close behind with 10 on the year.

PLAYING THE BEST
Seven of Illinois' first nine matches this season were against opponents ranked in the top 30 nationally, with five in the current top 25 including Virginia (No. 11), Notre Dame (No. 17), Tennessee (No. 18), Texas (No. 22) and San Diego (No. 25), which the Illini will take on next week during their spring break trip to California.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan has claimed five of its last six matches, though the Broncos are 0-4 this season against Big Ten opponents, having fallen to Indiana, Michigan, Purdue and Michigan State. Jill Pastunink and Nini Sujashvilli lead the team with 12 wins apiece, followed by Maria Nivia and Maggie Remynse with 10 for the Broncos.

LAST TIME OUT
In action two weeks ago, Illinois claimed a 4-3 victory at Penn State in its Big Ten opener, before dropping a home match to then-No. 24 Texas, 4-3. Against the Nittany Lions, juniors Amy Allin and Chelcie Abajian, sophomore Breanne Smutko and freshman Allison Falkin each collected wins in singles to give the Illini the win. Allin, Smutko and Falkin each tallied victories the following match as well, though Illinois came up just short against the visiting Longhorns. Allin and Falkin have won seven of their last 10 matches, with Allin boasting a team-best 14 wins, while Falkin ranks second on the team with 11.

UP NEXT
The Illini will head to California next week for their spring break trip to take on host San Diego (March 23) and Fresno State (March 25).