Results

URBANA, Ill. - The Illinois women's tennis team got back to their winning ways on Sunday, Feb. 15, picking up wins over Marquette and Chicago State. In the first contest of the day, Illinois topped Marquette 5-2 at the Atkins Tennis Center, giving the Golden Eagles (6-2) their second loss on the season in as many days. The afternoon contest featured some different Illini faces taking down Chicago State by a 6-1 decision. Illinois now sits at a 5-2 on the season with the weekend wins.

"I'm really proud of the girls' efforts," shared head coach Michelle Dasso. "I'm proud of how the girls rebounded today."

To open against Marquette, the Illini won the doubles point with victories on courts one and three. Melissa Kopinski worked with Louise Kwong to defeated Pimienta/Gebes 6-4. Jerricka Boone and Madie Baillon took the 6-4 decision on the third court. Grace Tapak and Alexis Casati were down 4-5 but did not finish.

Wins on courts three, five and six, respectively, in singles play, gave Illinois the decision. First to finish was Kopinski with a 6-0, 6-1 routing of Marquette's Ali Dawson. Next, Jade Hilton took down MU's Foltinger with a pair of 6-1 sets to climb to 4-1 on the dual season. Baillon's strong finish on court six gave Illinois their fourth point to secure the win. The sophomore was victorious by a 7-5, 6-1 decision.

Louise Kwong fell on court two 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 while Casati lost 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 at number one.

Tapak's was the last match to conclude, but she came out on top of the 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) score after putting together a convincing comeback.

In the second part of the doubleheader, Dasso's unit took care of business, winning six of seven matches in straight sets.

Casati and Kopinski grabbed a win at one doubles against Chicago State's Lloyd/Perez-Ochoa duo with a dominating 6-0 reading. Emily Barretta teamed up with Boone on court three and the tandem notched a 6-1 win. Julia Jamieson worked with Baillon and the duo was up 4-2 when Illinois clinched the doubles point.

Jamieson wrapped up singles play first with a 6-0, 6-2 line on court four. Not far behind was Kopinski on the second court. The Palos Hills native won her third singles match of the weekend with the 6-1, 6-1 outing against the Cougars' Pangestu. Baillon won the decider for the Orange and Blue on court three with a 6-1, 6-2 decision.

"I want to point out how outstanding my seniors were, again," continued Dasso. "Their leadership has been fantastic, along with their body language on the court, vocalness and presence."

Play continued and Kwong got the best of Chicago State's Carynne Lloyd and number one singles. Kwong's pair of 6-3 sets put the Illini up 5-0 on the match. Boone notched a victory on court five, 6-4, 6-3.

Action on court six lasted the longest with a pair of 7-6 sets that favored Chicago State's Matea Roki over Barretta.

"To get everyone in our singles and doubles lineups today is going to benefit the team going forward," stated Dasso.

Illinois has a weekend off before returning to action on March 1 at the Atkins Tennis Center. The match will feature No. 44 Illinois up against No. 52 Indiana to open Big Ten play. Action is set for Noon and will be the final match of Illinois' five-match home stand ranging from Feb. 7 - March 1.