Illini Dominate #40 Princeton Before Slipping to #20 Alabama

Women's Tennis February 25, 2012

Illini Dominate #40 Princeton Before Slipping to #20 Alabama

Feb. 25, 2012

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team (6-3) captured a convincing 4-0 win over No. 40 Princeton (5-4) before dropping a 4-3 thriller to No. 20 Alabama (5-1) on Saturday at the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic. Freshman Melissa Kopinski led the way for the Orange and Blue, posting singles victories in both dual matches. Each dual began with singles play, and the Illini clinched the match over Princeton without playing doubles.

"We certainly played a lot of ball today, and taking care of Princeton this morning was a great start to a long day of tennis," Illini head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Allison Falkin's play today was inspirational. She put us in a position to take down Alabama with the way she competes, understands and uses her strengths to get the most out of her game and never gives up. I believe we need to make a few tweeks and need to see a few different commitments from some individuals, and our team will then make the jump we are all expecting."

The Illini got off to a dominant start against Princeton, taking the first four singles matches to clinch a quick Illinois victory. Junior Rachael White and senior Chelcie Abajian cruised to straight-set wins at the Nos. 4 and 6 spots, respectively. Kopinski downed her opponents in two sets as well, capturing a 7-5, 7-6(4) win over Rachel Saiontz at No. 3. Redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos added to the Illini success, winning a 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 battle against No. 85 Hilary Bartlett at No. 1 singles.

The Illini continued their solid play with three singles wins against second-seeded and 20th-ranked Alabama. Junior Breanne Smutko captured a 6-3, 6-4 win over Yasmine Ebada at No. 6 singles, while Kopinski followed up her first-round victory with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Courtney McLane at the No. 3 spot. In the final completed singles match of the day, sophomore Allison Falkin posted a 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 comeback over No. 40 Alexa Guarachi at No. 2 singles to save the Illini and force the match into doubles play. The Illini could not pull off the upset, however, losing two doubles matches.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my team's show of heart tomorrow," Dasso said. "I know they have put in the work and fitness, and now, I want to see if they trust themselves enough to use it. Tomorrow I will see how tough my team is."

The Illini will return to action tomorrow at 10 a.m. to battle No. 33 Arizona for third place at the Blue Gray Classic.

Illinois vs. #40 Princeton
1. Marisa Lambropolous (ILL) def. (84) Hilary Bartlett (PRINCE), 6-1, 3-6, 6-2
2. Lindsay Graff (PRINCE) vs. (120) Allison Falkin (ILL), DNF
3. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Rachel Saiontz (PRINCE), 7-5, 7-6(4)
4. Rachael White (ILL) def. Katie Goepel (PRINCE) 6-4, 6-1
5. Monica Chow (PRINCE) vs. Amy Allin (ILL), DNF
6. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Joan Cannon (PRINCE), 6-1, 6-0

Illinois vs. #20 Alabama
Singles
1. #15 Mary Anne MacFarlane (BAMA) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL), 6-2, 6-1
2. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. #40 Alexa Guarachi (BAMA), 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
3. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Courtney McLane (BAMA), 6-1, 6-3
4. Antonia Foehse (BAMA) def. Rachael White (ILL), 7-5, 6-4
5. Taylor Lindsey (BAMA) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL), 6-1, 6-4
6. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Yasmine Ebada (BAMA), 6-3, 6-4

Doubles
1. #39 Courtney McLane/Alexa Guarachi (BAMA) def. Rachael White/Allison Falkin (ILL), 8-2
2. Mary Anne MacFarlane/Antonia Foehse (BAMA) def. Marisa Lambropoulos/Melissa Kopinski (ILL), 8-5
3. Taylor Lindsey/Yasmine Ebada (BAMA) def. Amy Allin/Chelcie Abajian (ILL), 4-6, unfinished