Illini Clipped by No. 24 Texas, 4-3

Women's Tennis March 6, 2011

Illini Clipped by No. 24 Texas, 4-3

March 6, 2011

URBANA, Ill. - A hard-fought effort in singles came up just short Sunday afternoon at Atkins Tennis Center, as the Illini women's tennis team (3-6) fell to No. 24 Texas (5-4), 4-3. Three Illini captured wins on the day, including junior Amy Allin, sophomore Breanne Smutko and freshman Allison Falkin.

"I think the majority of the team competed their tails off today," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "We've definitely grown as a team. The doubles point was obviously very crucial today. This match was in our hands, but unfortunately, again, it just didn't go our way. I was impressed again with Annie McCarthy's play in doubles and the way Amy Allin has played and her competitiveness. Allison Falkin battled hard and it's nice to see (Breanne) Smutko winning some matches. Rachael White is right there and competing against some of the top players in the country. We're working hard and on the right things but we're just not getting these wins over top programs."

The decisive doubles point came down to the No. 2 spot, where the Longhorns rallied back after trailing 4-1 to even the score at six apiece and never looked back, ultimately claiming the match, 8-6. In singles, Illinois won the first set on four of six courts, with Falkin collecting the lone straight sets victory for the Orange and Blue. She defeated Caroline Larsson, 6-4, 6-4, for her 11th win of the year.

Allin tallied her team-best 14th win of the year and improved to 2-0 at the No. 2 spot with a come-from-behind victory over Krista Damico, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Smutko closed out the afternoon with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Maggie Mello for her seventh win of the season.

The Illini will have a week off before hosting Western Michigan on Friday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at Atkins Tennis Center.

Match Results
#24 Texas 4, #51 Illinois 3

Singles competition
1. #16 Aeriel Ellis (UT) def. #92 Rachael White (ILL) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
2. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Krista Damico (UT) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Maggie Mello (UT) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3
4. Amanda Craddock (UT) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
5. Juliana Gajic (UT) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) 6-1, 6-2
6. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Caroline Larsson (UT) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. #51 Amanda Craddock/Cierra Gaytan-Leach (UT) def. #9 Rachael White/Allison Falkin (ILL) 8-4
2. Krista Damico/Aeriel Ellis (UT) def. Annie McCarthy/Breanne Smutko (ILL) 8-6
3. Leigh Finnegan/Amy Allin (ILL) def. Elizabeth Begley/Juliana Gajic (UT) 8-0