April 15, 2012
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - The 23rd-ranked Fighting Illini women's tennis team (15-6, 7-2 Big Ten) captured its third straight win with a 5-2 decision over Penn State (11-9, 3-6) Sunday afternoon at Atkins Tennis Center. Redshirt senior Marisa Lambropoulos clinched the victory, while senior Amy Allin and sophomore Allison Falkin secured their second singles wins of the weekend.
"My team continues to impress me," Illini head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Today's match was the best we've played across the board in doubles all season long. I was very impressed with the fight of our players, and I think we're peaking at the right time."
The Orange and Blue got off to a strong start, sweeping doubles for the eighth time this season to claim their sixth doubles point in their last seven outings. Allin and junior Rachael White led off with an 8-2 win over Marie-Frederique Bedard and Carmen Sandor at the No. 2 spot, while No. 57 duo Lambropoulos and freshman Melissa Kopinski cruised to their team-leading 11th win of the dual season with an 8-3 decision over No. 84 Petra Januskova and Chelsea Utting at the top position, giving the Illini a 1-0 advantage. Senior Chelcie Abajian and Falkin turned in an 8-3 victory over Fernanda Perrotta and Nina Sertic at the No. 3 spot to complete the doubles sweep.
Despite dropping the first completed singles match, Illinois sealed the win with victories on four courts. White took a quick 6-4, 6-2 win over Bedard at the No. 5 spot, while Allin breezed through a 6-0, 6-4 match against Sandor on court four to claim her third straight win. Lambropoulos added a 6-2, 6-3 win over Perrotta at the No. 3 position, clinching the Orange and Blue victory, and No. 119 Falkin ended the day with a 7-5, 3-6, (10-5) decision over No. 74 Januskova on court one, marking the third straight win for the Roswell, Ga., native.
"No matter where you play, you have to get it done," Dasso said. "Today, we did that at different spots. We were so decisive across the board in doubles, and anytime you get a doubles sweep, I think that takes a lot out of opponents. We have to be ready to bring the same mindset next Friday."
The Orange and Blue will wrap up the regular season next weekend, hosting Indiana for their home finale on Friday, April 20 at 4 p.m. at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex before traveling to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers Sunday, April 22 at 11 a.m.
SINGLES
1. #119 Allison Falkin (ILL) def. #74 Petra Januskova (PSU) 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-5)
2. Chelsea Utting (PSU) def. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) 6-3, 6-2
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Fernanda Perrotta (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Amy Allin (ILL) def. Carmen Sandor (PSU) 6-0, 6-4
5. Rachael White (ILL) def. Marie Bedard (PSU) 6-4, 6-2
6. Nina Sertic (PSU) def. Chelcie Abajian (ILL) 4-6, 3-1, retired
DOUBLES
1. #57 Marisa Lambropoulos/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. #84 Petra Januskova/Chelsea Utting (PSU) 8-3
2. Rachael White/Amy Allin (ILL) def. Marie Bedard/Carmen Sandor (PSU) 8-2
3. Chelcie Abajian/Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Fernanda Perrotta/Nina Sertic (PSU) 8-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,5,4,3,6,1)
