March 19, 2012
Box Score
HOUSTON - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team (7-5) snapped a three-match losing streak with a convincing 5-1 win over No. 29 Rice (10-4) Monday evening at Jake Hess Tennis Stadium, defeating its highest ranked opponent this season. Junior Rachael White led the charge with victories in both singles and doubles action, while redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos clinched Illinois' first win of the month with solid play at No. 2 singles.
"I was extremely impressed with the toughness of my team today," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Rice is having a great year and is a very well coached team, and to be able to snag a win from them on their home courts amidst five or six rain delays showed some serious mental growth from my girls."
The Illini won the doubles point for the first time in their last four contests. The Orange and Blue lineup featured new doubles tandems, as sophomore Allison Falkin and senior Chelcie Abajian paired up for the first time this season to start the Illini off with an 8-2 win at the No. 3 spot. White and senior Amy Allin made their 2012 debut as a doubles team as well, capturing an 8-5 victory at No. 2 to give the Illini the 1-0 lead going into singles play.
White picked up where she left off, cruising to a quick 6-0, 6-3 victory over Kimberly Anicete at the No. 5 spot. Freshman Melissa Kopinski took down Katie Gater, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, at No. 3 singles for her team-leading 14th win of the season, allowing Lambropoulos to clinch the dual victory for the Orange and Blue with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 decision over Dominique Harmath at the No. 2 spot. Breanne Smutko added a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 win over Stephanie Nguyen at No. 6 before play was halted by rain, leaving the No. 4 match unfinished.
The Orange and Blue will continue their road trip with a showdown at No. 8 Texas on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.
SINGLES
1. #46 Natalie Beazant (RICE) def. #92 Allison Falkin (ILL) 6-4, 6-4
2. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Dominique Harmath (RICE) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
3. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Katie Gater (RICE) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
4. Ana Guzman (RICE) vs. Amy Allin (ILL) 7-5, 2-6, 5-2, unfinished
5. Rachael White (ILL) def. Kimberly Anicete (RICE) 6-0, 6-3
6. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Stephanie Nguyen (RICE) 6-4, 4-6, 7-5
DOUBLES
1. #42 Natalie Beazant/Dominique Harmath (RICE) def. Marisa Lambropoulos/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) 8-6
2. Rachael White/Amy Allin (ILL) def. Ana Guzman/Katie Gater (RICE) 8-5
3. Allison Falkin/Chelcie Abajian (ILL) def. Kimberly Anicete/Stephanie Nguyen (RICE) 8-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,1,3,2,6)
