March 24, 2012
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team (9-5, 1-1 Big Ten) knocked off its second top-25 opponent this week with a thrilling 4-3 comeback over No. 25 Nebraska Saturday afternoon at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. Illinois' victory ended a 14-match winning streak for the Cornhuskers, who fell to 15-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. The match was decided on Court 3, where redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos came from behind in her third set to clinch the Orange and Blue victory for the third straight match.
"I have a special group of girls," Illini head coach Michelle Dasso said. "They continue to impress me with their toughness every day, and today was a huge win over a very tough team. Nebraska is a great addition to our conference and is a very talented and scrappy team, so I'm incredibly proud of our girls and impressed with the finish."
The Illini got off to a slow start, dropping the doubles point for the first time in three contests with losses at Nos. 1 and 2. Lambropoulos and sophomore Allison Falkin managed to avoid the doubles sweep, however, securing an 8-3 win over Jennifer Holmberg and Janine Weinreich at the No. 3 spot.
In singles action, the Orange and Blue lost the first completed match of the day before bouncing back with quick two-set wins at Nos. 4 and 6, as senior Amy Allin cruised to a 6-3, 6-3 finish over Madeleine Geibert, while junior Rachael White took down Holmberg, 6-2, 6-4. Despite coming back after losing her first seven games, junior Breanne Smutko could not overcome a rough start at the No. 5 spot, falling 6-0, 7-5 to Weinreich, which put the Illini down, 3-2, with two matches left on the court.
Freshman Melissa Kopinski captured her team-high 16th win of the season and sixth straight with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Patricia Veresova at the No. 2 spot to even the team score, 3-3, putting Lambropoulos in a position for her third consecutive clinch.
Lambropoulos fell behind early in her third set. The fifth-year senior was unfazed, however, climbing out of a 1-4 hole in the final set to take down Stefanie Weinstein, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, securing Illinois' third straight win over a top-30 opponent and second straight over a team in the top 25.
"It was pretty impressive," Dasso said. "I don't think there are two players I would rather have on the court with the team down, 3-2. Melissa buckled down and got it done relatively quickly, which helped Marisa. As a fifth-year senior, Marisa's experience really showed. She's had that composure in all of her matches every year she has played for the Illini. Her confidence is always there. We love to see her as the last one on the court."
The Orange and Blue will be back in action tomorrow at Noon CT at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, welcoming Big Ten foe Iowa.
SINGLES
1. #58 Mary Weatherholt (NEB) def. #92 Allison Falkin (ILL) 6-3, 6-2
2. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Patricia Veresova (NEB) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Stefanie Weinstein (NEB) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
4. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Madeleine Geibert (NEB) 6-3, 6-3
5. #101 Janine Weinreich (NEB) def. Breanne Smutko (ILL) 6-0, 7-5
6. Rachael White (ILL) def. Jennifer Holmberg (NEB) 6-2, 6-4
DOUBLES
1. #26 Madeleine Geibert/Stefanie Weinstein (NEB) def. Rachael White/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) 8-2
2. Patricia Veresova/Mary Weatherholt (NEB) def. #79 Chelcie Abajian/Breanne Smutko (ILL) 8-4
3. Marisa Lambropoulos/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Jennifer Holmberg/Janine Weinreich (NEB) 8-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (1,4,6,5,2,3)
