Results

Results (PDF)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - On Friday, March 6, the Illinois women's tennis team traveled to Penn State for its first Big Ten action away from home on the 2015 campaign. In a match that could have gone either way, the Illini ultimately fell by a 4-3 decision to the Nittany Lions. No. 37 Illinois moved to 6-3 on the dual season with the loss.

"Playing at Penn State is a tough place to play for many reasons but I credit their team for making the most of it," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "Penn State served big and Surin, at #3 singles, was a very, very strong player. It is apparent we are hurting without Grace in our doubles lineup, but some things are out of our control. I am extremely proud of our girls' efforts and attitudes today; they are an outstanding group that plays with competitive fire. We are not going to dwell on this loss."

Penn State's No. 2 doubles tandem made quick work of Illinois' Alexis Casati and Madie Baillon in the first contest of the afternoon, which finished with an 8-3 Nittany Lion advantage. Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong won the match up at the top doubles spot by an 8-5 reading over 51st ranked Victoria Kisialeva and Dasha Sapogova. The doubles point was decided on court three, where Jerricka Boone and Jade Hilton fell behind early and could never completely recover, losing by an 8-6 decision.

The Illini lost four of the six first sets of singles play, with just Kwong and Kopinski winning their first sets. Casati and Boone each played three sets and picked up singles victories. Kopinski would win on court two in straight sets of 6-3, 6-0. Baillon and Hilton both fell in straight sets to opponents. Kwong claimed the first set of her match on court three in a tiebreaker but was defeated in the next two sets 2-6, 5-7.

With the loss, Illinois is now 22-3 all-time against the Penn State program.

Illinois will have a quick turnaround as they return to Champaign-Urbana and host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday, March 8, at Noon inside the Atkins Tennis Center.