Illini Edge Penn State in Big Ten Opener, 4-3

Women's Tennis March 4, 2011

Illini Edge Penn State in Big Ten Opener, 4-3

March 4, 2011

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In a grueling marathon match of just under five hours, the Illini women's tennis team (3-5, 1-0 Big Ten) was victorious over host Penn State (3-7, 0-2) Friday night, 4-3, to collect their first Big Ten win of the season. After falling behind 1-0 after doubles, Illinois stormed back in singles, with junior Chelcie Abajian clinching the match with a straight sets victory at the No. 4 spot.

"It's nice to pick up our first Big Ten win," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "It was great to see Annie (McCarthy) get her first dual win and Allison (Falkin) and Chelcie (Abajian) came up big for us at the end. For Allison, it was great to see a freshman perform well under pressure and Chelcie clinching the match was a huge positive for her."

Junior Amy Allin evened the score at one apiece with her team-best 13th win of the year, before the Nittany Lions answered with a win at the top spot. Sophomore Breanne Smutko tallied the squad's second win of the night, as she held off Denisa Zobeideh, 6-1, 7-6 (4), and later on, freshman Allison Falkin tied the match at three with a sweep of Sarah Henderson, 6-2, 6-3. With a victory on the line, Abajian was able to hold off Fernanda Perrotta, 6-0, 7-5, to seal the win for Illinois.

The Illini return to Atkins Tennis Center on Sunday to host No. 24 Texas at noon.

Match Results
#51 Illinois 4, Penn State 3

Singles competition
1. #111 Petra Januskova (PSU) def. #92 Rachael White (ILL) 6-3, 6-0
2. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Amy Simidian (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Denisa Zobeideh (PSU) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Fernanda Perrotta (PSU) 6-0, 7-5
5. Carmen Sandor (PSU) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Sarah Henderson (PSU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Petra Januskova/Amy Simidian (PSU) def. #9 Allison Falkin/Rachael White (ILL) 8-6
2. Carmen Sandor/Fernanda Perrotta (PSU) def. Amy Allin/Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 9-7
3. Breanne Smutko/Annie McCarthy (ILL) def. Denisa Zobeideh/Marie Bedard (PSU) 8-5