Jan. 20, 2012
Live Scoring
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team (1-0) will play at Atkins Tennis Center for the first time this season, hosting a pair of in-state rivals on Saturday, Jan. 21. The Orange and Blue will face Western Illinois at noon, followed by a clash with Illinois State at 4 p.m.
"We are looking forward to playing on our home courts for the first time in our 2011-12 season," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "This weekend marks the first opportunity for our girls to show the community how they compose themselves on the court, the commitment they have put into their fitness by competing in two matches in one day and what an honor it is to be playing for the Orange and Blue."
FOR STARTERS
The Illini boast an 11-2 all-time mark against Western Illinois, which they have met only once since 1988. IIllinois captured a 7-0 victory in that lone meeting (2010) against the Leathernecks. The Illini are 28-8 all-time against Illinois State and have won their last 26 matches against the Redbirds dating back to 1981.
CAMPBELL/ITA NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Illini checked in at No. 69 in the first national rankings of the season, while senior Chelcie Abajian and junior Breanne Smutko came in at No. 27 in doubles.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Western Illinois is a team made up entirely of newcomers. The Leathernecks, which were 0-0 going into the weekend, faced Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Friday before making the trip to Urbana.
The Illinois State roster features two seniors, including Hannah Esker, who posted a close loss against the Illini in last year's 7-0 Orange and Blue victory. Fellow senior Aniko Kiss leads the team with a 9-1 mark in 2011-12. The Redbirds are 0-0 heading into Saturday's meeting with the Illini.
LAST TIME OUT
The Illini opened the dual season with a 5-2 victory over Stephen F. Austin (1-1) last weekend in Fort Myers, Fla. Illinois went 2-1 in doubles action and 4-2 in singles play, led by redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos and sophomore Allison Falkin, who secured both singles and doubles wins.
NEXT UP
The Orange and Blue will head to Durham, N.C., next week for ITA Kick-off Weekend. The Illini will take on Winthrop on Friday, Jan. 27 before facing either No. 3 Duke or the College of Charleston on Jan. 28 or 29.
