March 21, 2014
Results
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team played their first outdoor match of the season against Southern Illinois this evening, besting the Salukis 6-1.
"Today was exciting because we got to play outside," said head coach Michelle Dasso. "It wasn't the most ideal conditions but that's part of it. We get a lot of wind and I think we will be playing in that type of wind later this season. I think playing outside in those conditions is going to help us."
It was a close doubles point, with SIU and Illinois battling in all three matches. Melissa Kopinski and Alexis Casati played the first match done, defeating Monaghan/Tomishima 8-6. The Illini clinched the doubles point with a win from Julia Jamieson and Audrey O'Connor at 3 doubles, also winning 8-6. Allison Falkin and Misia Kedzierski did not finish their match.
In singles, Kedzierski set the tone early, finishing 6-1, 6-0 over Ariadna Cairo Baza. Kopinski was second to finish 6-0, 6-2. Louise Kwong began the match with a nailbiter, taking her opponent to 7-5 and finishing her match with a 6-4 set. Casati also had a tight set, going 6-2, 7-6 in the 1 position against Natasha Tomishima. Jerricka Boone took Polina Dozortseva to 3 sets, finally winning 6-4, 5-7, 1-0. Emily Baretta was the one loss for the Illini, falling in her third set to finish 6-4, 4-6, 0-1.
Illinois 6, Southern Illinois 1
Singles
1. Alexis Casati (ILL) def. Natasha Tomishima (SIU) 6-2, 7-6
2. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Anita Lee (SIU) 6-0, 6-2
3. Louise Kwong (ILL) def. Meagan Monaghan (SIU) 7-5, 6-4
4. Jerricka Boone (ILL) def. Polina Dozortseva (SIU) 6-4, 5-7, 1-0
5. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Ariadna Cairo Baza (SIU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Gisela Cairo Baza (SIU) def. Emily Barretta (ILL) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0
Doubles
1. Kopinski/Casati (ILL) def. Monaghan/Tomishima (SIU) 8-6
2. Falkin/Kedzierski (ILL) vs. Lee/Dozortseva (SIU) 6-5 DNF
3. Jamieson/O'Connor (ILL) def. Cairo Baza/Cairo Baza (SIU) 8-6
Order of Finish:
Singles: 5, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6
Doubles: 1, 3
