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TAMPA, Fla. - In the first outdoor action of the dual season, the Fighting Illini women's tennis team climbed to 7-4 overall with a win over USF on Sunday, March 15. Illinois, ranked 56th in the latest ITA rankings, topped the Bulls by a 4-3 decision from Tampa, Florida.

"This win on the road, outdoors in the heat gives us valuable match experience in those elements," shared head coach Michelle Dasso.

The Fighting Illini got on the board first by taking the doubles point over the Bulls. Play on court three was the first to finish as Grace Tapak and Alexis Casati picked up their third win together in a 7-5 decision. The senior-sophomore duo of Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong extended their winning streak to four-straight matches with a 7-5 win over USF's Garrido-Rivas/Cortes tandem.

"Doubles is very important in college tennis," said Dasso. "That is a huge part of what makes college tennis so special. To start off with the first overall point of the match gives you momentum and a little more room to breathe in singles."

Tapak locked down the second point for the Fighting Illini with a straight-set decision on court five. The freshman won 6-1, 6-1 over Hailey Grillo to pick up her fifth win of the spring.

Court four finished next with USF getting on the board as Martinez topped Madie Baillon in straight sets of 6-2 and 6-4. Kwong responded to push the Illinois lead back to two points (3-1) with a straight-set victory on court there by scores of 6-2, 6-3. Kwong is now 2-2 playing on the third court this spring.

Next, Jade Hilton fell 7-5, 6-2 on court six to cut Illinois' lead in the non-conference match to 3-2.

Needing just one more win to get to four points, the Illini turned to Casati and Kopinski, who were playing in the top-two spots. Kopinski, on court two, clinched the match for the Orange and Blue with straight sets of 7-5 and 6-2. The win was Kopinski's seventh of the season and fourth when playing at No. 2 singles.

Casati and her USF counterpart finished out the match on court one. After winning the first set 7-5, Casati was shutout in the next frame to send the match to a third set. After a hard-fought battle, the Deerfield, Illinois, native fell by a 7-6(2) decision to make the final score 4-3.

Dasso's unit is back in action this Friday, March 20, when Illinois pays a visit to in-state rival Northwestern. The match is Evanston, Illinois, is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CST.