Jan. 13, 2012
2012 Quick Facts
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team returns all but two of its players from last season's squad, which cracked the top 25 early on and defeated four nationally ranked opponents. After falling in the rankings at the end of 2011, the 2012 Illini will look to return to the top 25 and fight for a Big Ten title.
"In general, this is the most competitive team I've ever coached," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "I think that when you have a group of individuals who really want to get better and do the best they can for themselves and each other, great things can happen. That competitiveness is going to be the driving force of our entire spring. I expect every match to be a dogfight. Our team is prepared, feisty, fit and anxious to get started. Regardless of who we're playing on any given day, our girls have to be ready to battle."
The Illinois roster is full of talent and experience, including two 2011 All-Big Ten selections, a Campbell/ITA top-30 doubles tandem, two regionally ranked singles players, one regionally ranked duo and three returning seniors - Amy Allin, Chelcie Abajian and Marisa Lambropoulos - who will look to guide the competitive cast in 2012.
"We have a tremendous senior class," Dasso said. "They've experienced so much in their time here. Last year, we were killed by some injuries and some bad luck here and there, but we continued to work hard. And I think this year, if we keep everyone healthy, we can learn from that experience."
Allin, who earned second-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2011, led the team last season with 23 singles victories, including six in the Big Ten. The Dallas, Texas, native was named senior captain and will look to lead the Illini throughout the season.
"Amy is the heart and soul when it comes to her work ethic and daily positive attitude," Dasso said. "She has a love for college tennis and has improved in so many areas. She will leave this program as a much better tennis player. That is a testament to how hard she has worked. She's certainly going to give everything she has in every single match."
Abajian starts the season with a career-high No. 27 doubles ranking alongside junior Breanne Smutko. The tandem reached as high as No. 55 last season with 10 wins and went 4-2 last fall to climb nearly 30 spots in the national rankings. Individually, Abajian captured 11 singles victories last season, taking down two nationally ranked opponents.
"Chelcie did a great job this past fall getting herself healthy and back on the court after dealing with an injury at the end of last season," Dasso said. "She's one of the cleanest ball strikers I've ever coached, and we're looking forward to her using that and bringing that experience. She's been a staple in our lineup for three years, so hopefully she can leave it all on the court in her last season with the Orange and Blue."
Lambropoulos, who was sidelined with a season-ending wrist injury last spring, is back for a fifth year. The Lake Forest, Ill., native checked in at No. 17 in the region after collecting four wins during her comeback campaign last fall.
"Marisa's game has completely evolved since coming to Illinois," Dasso said. "She's much more focused on the court and in much better shape. She also had to completely change her game due to her injury, and she's more or less changed her game to a slice backhand. There are very few people who could have made that transition, and she's one of them because of her remarkable athleticism and mental toughness."
The junior class includes a pair of standouts - Rachael White and Smutko - who will look to make a major impact in 2012.
White, a 2011 first-team All-Big Ten honoree, led the team in doubles victories with a career-high 23, including 18 alongside sophomore Allison Falkin. Together, the pair defeated seven nationally ranked duos. Individually, the Deerfield, Ill., native ranked second on the team in singles wins in 2011, capturing a career-best 18 matches. Last fall, White went 3-1 at the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championships alongside freshman Melissa Kopinski, earning them a No. 4 regional doubles ranking.
"I'm looking forward to Rachael playing the game she wants to play and enjoying the sport," Dasso said. "She's a very aggressive player with a big serve and big forehand, and she wants to play that way. With her style, there are going to be some days that are better than others, but if she continues to believe in herself and have a positive attitude she can really relish in being out on the court."
Smutko, the other half of the 27th-ranked doubles tandem, picked up 20 doubles wins overall last season and added 12 solo victories.
"Bre did an exceptional job throughout the fall," Dasso said. "She has always had that talent, and there are very few weaknesses in her game. Her biggest weakness in the past has been herself, and I think she showed us this past semester that it has turned into one of her strengths. If she can bring that on a daily basis it will help her and the entire team tremendously."
After a year of experience under their belts, sophomores Allison Falkin and Misia Kedzierski will look to put together a solid second-year campaign.
Falkin had a stellar debut season, finishing third on the team in singles wins (17) and second in doubles (22). The Roswell, Ga., native also reached as high as No. 9 in the ITA doubles rankings alongside White.
"Allison is feisty and extremely smart," Dasso said. "She figures out a way to break down her opponents. She's one of those players who can adjust and has a lot of different ways she can beat players. She doesn't give up, and she's never out of a match. I've seen her amazing comebacks, so I'm never giving up on her. Seeing her grow this year is really going to be key for us."
After a freshman year plagued by injury, Kedzierski posted a strong comeback in the fall, going 5-2 in two tournaments, showing consistency and resiliency.
"Misia is one of our toughest competitors," Dasso said. "She loves to be out there and doesn't get fazed by being down in a match. No matter who she plays, she's never shy of the competition. She thinks that when she steps on the court, she should beat the player on the other side of the net. Her fitness level has increased drastically thanks to her work ethic. Staying healthy is going to be key for her during the long spring season."
The 2012 squad also features a pair of solid newcomers - Melissa Kopinski, who signed with the Illini as a blue-chip recruit, and Julia Jamieson, who signed as a five-star. Kopinski strung together a strong fall performance, going 6-3 in singles play to earn a No. 18 regional ranking and is the other half of the regionally ranked White-Kopinski tandem. Jamieson had an impressive fall as well, finishing with a 5-2 singles mark.
"Julia works hard, loves the game and is a phenomenal teammate," Dasso said. "I'm excited to be working with her on a daily basis and to see how far she has come in her short time so far at Illinois. It comes down to her desire to help this team and to get better."
"Mel is a fighter. She's like a little boxer out there on the tennis court. She had a fantastic fall, and she's gotten better and better with each match. She just loves the game and loves competing. She's willing to put in the work, and she's smart. She has the ability to figure out her opponent and change her game. I'm excited for her to get some dual matches under her belt because I think she'll love it and really thrive."
The Illini will face at least nine nationally ranked teams in 2012, including five in the Big Ten. Michigan leads the conference at No. 10, followed by No. 12 Northwestern, No. 39 Nebraska, No. 55 Ohio State and No. 61 Purdue.
The Orange and Blue will kick off the dual season against Stephen F. Austin on Friday, Jan. 13 in Fort Myers, Fla., and will return to Urbana the following week to host Western Illinois (Noon CT) and Illinois State (4 p.m.) on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Atkins Tennis Center.
