April 13, 2013

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The University of Illinois women's tennis team (11-9, 4-4 Big Ten) captured a 5-2 win over Ohio State (10-10, 3-5) Friday evening at OSU's Varsity Tennis Center. The Illini took two of three doubles matches and notched four singles victories to down the Buckeyes.

"Allison (Falkin) and Misia (Kedzierski) played incredibly composed under pressure, battling off match points to get us that valuable doubles point," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "They were warriors out there. My two seniors, Rachael (White) and Breanne (Smutko) played as if they were on a mission today. I loved the energy and attitude Julia (Jamieson) brought. My assistants have been doing an outstanding job with their on-court coaching. We will be ready for another war on Sunday."

Senior Rachael White and sophomore Melissa Kopinski, the 27th-ranked tandem in the nation, got the Illini off to a solid start with an 8-2 win over Kelsey Dieters and Kara Cecil on court one. Freshman Audrey O'Connor and senior Breanne Smutko dropped their doubles match at the No. 3 spot to put the doubles point in the hands of Allison Falkin and Misia Kedzierski at No. 2. The pair of juniors battled to earn Illinois the doubles decision with a 9-8(4) victory over Fidan Manashirova and Gabby Steele.

The Orange and Blue success continued in singles play with White's quick 6-1, 6-2 win over Steele on court four, followed by Falkin's 6-3, 6-1 upset over No. 45 Dieters at the top spot. No. 117 Kopinski clinched the dual victory with a 6-4, 6-3 decision against Cecil on court two, and Kedzierski rounded out the list of Illinois singles winners with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Grainne O'Neill at No. 5.

The Illini will return to action on Sunday for a battle with Penn State at 9 a.m. CT in University Park, Pa.

#59 Illinois 5, #62 Ohio State 2
Singles
1. Allison Falkin (ILL) def. #45 Kelsey Dieters (OSU) 6-3, 6-1
2. #117 Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Kara Cecil (OSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Fidan Manashirova (OSU) def. Breanne Smutko (ILL) 6-7(3), 7-5, (11-9)
4. Rachael White (ILL) def. Gabby Steele (OSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Grainne O'Neill (OSU) 6-4, 6-4
6. Nicole Flower (OSU) def. Julia Jamieson (ILL) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4

Doubles
1. #27 Rachael White/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Kelsey Dieters/Kara Cecil (OSU) 8-2
2. Allison Falkin/Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Fidan Manashirova/Gabby Steele (OSU) 9-8(4)
3. Grainne O'Neill/Kelsey Becker (OSU) def. Audrey O'Connor/Breanne Smutko (ILL) 8-3

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