Oct. 3, 2012
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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Fighting Illini senior Rachael White and sophomore Melissa Kopinski advanced to the main doubles draw of the Riviera/ITA All-American Championships Wednesday evening after capturing three wins in qualifying, including two over nationally ranked pairs.
"This is one of the biggest tournaments of the year," assistant coach Georgia Rose said. "Rachael and Melissa won three really tough matches to get to the main draw against some of the best players in the country. I'm extremely proud of the way they played."
The Orange and Blue duo claimed an 8-6 win in first-round action on Tuesday, knocking off Florida's Sofie Oyen and Alexandra Cercone, who were ranked 29th in the nation and seeded eighth in the draw.
White and Kopinski continued that success on Wednesday, taking an 8-5 victory over No. 44 Nazari Urbina and Sun Wen of Texas A&M. The Illini pair returned to the court hours later to down Marshall's Dominika Zaprazna and Maria Voscekova in an 8-6 bout, punching their tickets to the tournament's main draw.
Kopinski competed in singles action as well, falling in the opening round before battling back to secure a 6-2, 6-2 win over Virginia's Maria Fuccillo in the back draw.
"I really couldn't be happier for them," Rose said. "Tomorrow will be another great opportunity, playing a tough team from Stanford."
White and Kopinski will return to action tomorrow at 11 a.m. CT to take on No. 9 Stacey Tan and Ellen Tsay.
Illini Results
Doubles
Melissa Kopinski/Rachael White (Illinois) def. #29 Sofie Oyen/Alexandra Cercone (Florida) 8-6
Melissa Kopinski/Rachael White (Illinois) def. #44 Nazari Urbina/Sun Wen (Texas A&M) 8-5
Melissa Kopinski/Rachael White (Illinois) def. Dominika Zaprazna/Maria Voscekova (Marshall) 8-6
Singles
Qualifying: Ecaterina Vasenina (South Florida) def. Melissa Kopinski (Illinois) 6-4, 6-4
Back Draw: Melissa Kopinski (Illinois) def. #99 Maria Fuccillo (Virginia) 6-2, 6-2
Pre-qualifying: Callie Craig (Utah) def. (3) Allison Falkin (Illinois) 6-2, 6-4
