Illinois Defeats Michigan State in Home Finale, 6-1

Women's Tennis April 17, 2011

Illinois Defeats Michigan State in Home Finale, 6-1

April 17, 2011

URBANA, Ill. - The Illini women's tennis team (9-10, 5-3 Big Ten) bounced back to defeat Michigan State (12-10, 1-8), 6-1, Sunday afternoon in its final home match of the regular season. Seniors Leigh Finnegan and Annie McCarthy were honored prior to the match for their accomplishments over the last four seasons, and both ended the home slate on a positive note, finishing one-two in singles to help lead the Illini to victory.

"Obviously it was special for the seniors today and for those two seniors to be the first off in singles, I think was pretty special for everyone," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Everyone wants to make it a day to remember for those girls and they've put a lot of time and effort into their careers here. Outstanding jobs today against a tough Michigan State team and to win 6-1 against them is a very good accomplishment. It shows the depth of our program and the confidence that we as a coaching staff have in our two seniors."

In doubles, Finnegan and junior Amy Allin won their eighth match of the year with a victory over Olga Chernova and Katarina Lingl, 8-2, and the 25th-ranked tandem of sophomore Rachael White and freshman Allison Falkin clinched the point with an 8-3 defeat of No. 27 Amy Barton and Marina Bohrer. White and Falkin lead the team with 16 wins, including four in Big Ten play.

McCarthy and Finnegan made quick of their opponents, as McCarthy downed Dana Guentert, 6-2, 6-3, for her sixth straight win, and Finnegan cruised past Nicole Herzog, 6-1, 6-1, for her second Big Ten win. With a 3-1 advantage, Falkin rallied past Bohrer, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1, to clinch the match and collected her 16th win of the year.

"That was the best match I've seen Allison play," Dasso said. "She is just such a good competitor. I love the fire that she plays with and to lose that first set pretty handily and to come back and get it done in two straight sets pretty decisively is very impressive for a freshman."

The two ranked Illini closed out the afternoon with victories of their own, as No. 110 White secured her 15th win of the year and No. 125 sophomore Breanne Smutko earned her 11th.

Illinois will conclude the regular season on the road next weekend beginning at Minnesota on Friday at 6 p.m. CT.

Match Results
Illinois 6, Michigan State 1

Singles competition
1. Amy Barton (MSU) def. Amy Allin (ILL) 6-0, 6-4
2. #110 Rachael White (ILL) def. Valentina Rusakova (MSU) 7-5, 4-6, 3-0, retired
3. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Marina Bohrer (MSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-1
4. #125 Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Olga Chernova (MSU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Nicole Herzog (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Annie McCarthy (ILL) def. Dana Guentert (MSU) 6-2, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. #25 Rachael White/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. #27 Amy Barton/Marina Bohrer (MSU) 8-3
2. Whitney Wilson/Nicole Herzog (MSU) def. Breanne Smutko/Annie McCarthy (ILL) 8-5
3. Leigh Finnegan/Amy Allin (ILL) def. Olga Chernova/Katarina Lingl (MSU) 8-2