Illini Down Winthrop, 7-0, in ITA Kick-Off Action

Women's Tennis January 27, 2012

Illini Down Winthrop, 7-0, in ITA Kick-Off Action

Jan. 27, 2012

DURHAM, N.C. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team cruised to its third consecutive 7-0 win with a victory over Winthrop (3-3) Friday in first-round action of the ITA Kick-off Weekend, hosted by Duke. With the win, the Orange and Blue start the season 4-0 for the first time since posting a 5-0 start in 1992. Individually, the Illini were nearly perfect throughout the day, winning each match in straight sets.

"Across the board, the performance was solid for the Illini today," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "The team is hungry for success. I was particularly impressed with Misia Kedzierski's composure and strong presence on the court. We've been reinforcing a few things all year - expectations of success and faceless opponents, which basically means playing hard and not caring who is across the net. I'm looking forward to tomorrow night and seeing if the girls still carry those two themes on the court with them."

The Orange and Blue got off to a solid start, earning the doubles point for the fourth time in four matches. Senior Marisa Lambropoulos and freshman Melissa Kopinski teamed up to secure a victory at No. 3 doubles, marking their third win of the dual season. At the No. 1 spot, junior Rachael White and sophomore Allison Falkin captured their fourth dual-season win, giving the Illini a 1-0 advantage heading into singles play.

The Illini maintained that momentum, as Falkin took down Andressa Garcia, 6-1, 6-3, to secure her team-leading fourth win of the spring. Senior Amy Allin clinched the Illini victory with a 6-3, 6-3 win at the No. 4 spot, while Lambropoulos, White, Kedzierski and Kopinski each won in two sets as well.

The win over No. 67 Winthrop marks No. 68 Illinois' first victory over a ranked opponent this season and was the first-ever meeting between to the two teams.

The Orange and Blue will return to action Saturday at 5 p.m. CT to face No. 3 Duke for a chance to advance to the ITA Team National Indoor Championships, which will take place Feb. 10-13 in Charlottesville, Va.

Singles
1. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Yasmine Alkema (WOP) 6-4, 6-3
2. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Andressa Garcia (WOP) 6-1, 6-3
3. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Ekin Gunaysu (WOP) 7-5, 6-2
4. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Sandra Herrera (WOP) 6-3, 6-3
5. Rachael White (ILL) def. Giovanna Portioli (WOP) 6-2, 6-4
6. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Monica Aguado (WOP) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Rachael White/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Yasmine Alkema/Andressa Garcia (WOP) 8-3
2. #27 Chelsea Abajian/Breanne Smutko (ILL) vs. Giovanna Portioli/Ekin Gunaysu (WOP) 7-3, unfinished
3. Marisa Lambropoulos/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Sandra Herrera/Monica Aguado (WOP) 8-2