March 25, 2012

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team (10-5, 2-1 Big Ten) captured its fourth straight win with a 6-1 decision over Big Ten foe Iowa (6-8, 0-3) Sunday afternoon at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. The victory marks Illinois' fourth in the past seven days, while the four-match winning streak is the best stretch for the Orange and Blue since starting the season 4-0.

"We certainly made a statement in our program this week," Illinois head coach Michelle Dasso said. "It's come from hard work, perseverance and positive attitudes. Our team chemistry is one of our biggest strengths, and those girls have been pushing each other all year."

The Illini took an early 1-0 lead, sweeping doubles for the fifth time this season. Freshman Melissa Kopinski and redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos finished first with an 8-2 win over Sonja Molnar and Morven McCulloch at the top spot. Junior Rachael White and senior Amy Allin followed with an 8-6 victory over Katie Zordani and Ellen Silver at No. 2 to clinch Illinois' third doubles point in its last four contests. Senior Chelcie Abajian and sophomore Allison Falkin added a win as well, taking down Ally Majercik and Shelby Talcott, 8-4, at No. 3 doubles.

The Illini continued their dominant performance in singles action, capturing five of six matches, including their first four. Junior Breanne Smutko led off with a quick 6-2, 6-2 win over Christina Harazin at the No. 5 spot, followed by Allin, who took down McCulloch, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 3.

White clinched the dual victory with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Zordani at the No. 4 spot, while Lambropoulos finished off Talcott, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 2 to remain undefeated in singles over her last four matches. Sophomore Misia Kedzierksi also contributed with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Silver at No. 6 singles in the final completed match of the day.

"After four matches in a week's span, the girls were as fresh as they could be today," Dasso said. "That is a testament to my assistant coach (Georgia Rose). She's gotten those girls in such good shape, and it really showed all week. This was a confidence-building stretch and a difference maker in our program."

The Illini will hit the road next weekend for a pair of Big Ten showdowns, facing Wisconsin on Friday, March 30 at 3 p.m. and Minnesota on Sunday, April 1 at Noon.

SINGLES
1. Sonja Molnar (IOWA) def. #92 Allison Falkin (ILL) 6-4, 6-3
2. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Shelby Talcott (IOWA) 6-2, 6-2
3. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Morven McCulloch (IOWA) 6-3, 6-1
4. Rachael White (ILL) def. Katie Zordani (IOWA) 6-1, 6-2
5. Breanne Smutko (ILL) def. Christina Harazin (IOWA) 6-2, 6-2
6. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Ellen Silver (IOWA) 6-4, 6-3

DOUBLES
1. Melissa Kopinski/Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Sonja Molnar/Morven McCulloch (IOWA) 8-2
2. Rachael White/Amy Allin (ILL) def. Katie Zordani/Ellen Silver (IOWA) 8-6
3. Chelcie Abajian/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Ally Majercik/Shelby Talcott (IOWA) 8-4

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (5,3,4,2,1,6)