Results

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Despite No. 61 Minnesota claiming the doubles point thanks to wins on the lower courts, the Fighting Illini women's tennis team would be the victor of the April 12th Big Ten meeting by a 5-2 decision. The Illinois squad remains a perfect 5-0 in the month of April with four of those wins coming over conference opponents. Illinois improved to 12-9 on the season and 4-5 in the Big Ten with the win.

"Today was a very good win verse a tough, well coached Minnesota team," shared head coach Michelle Dasso. "It was awesome to see our senior captain Melissa Kopinski clinch the team win for us and I continue to be impressed by Madie Baillon's composure in pressure filled situations."

In doubles, Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong won their third straight match on the first doubles court and climbed to 12-4 on the season with the 8-2 victory.

Next to finish was court three, where Alexis Casati and Grace Tapak fell by an 8-0 decision. The doubles point was decided on court two where Madie Baillon and Jerricka Boone fell by an 8-5 mark.

"I despise losing the doubles point, but we competed fantastic all weekend across the board in singles," said Dasso.

Kwong carried over her momentum from the doubles win and was the first off of the courts with a 7-6(2), 6-4 win on singles court three. The sophomore has won five-straight matches and climbed to 13-6 on the spring.

Court two finished next, as Casati topped her Minnesota counterpart by a 7-5, 6-1 decision. Casati is now 6-3 in Big Ten play. Kwong and Casati were the only two Illini to win in straight sets.

Baillon concluded play on court five next. The sophomore claimed the match by a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 line for her ninth win of the season. She is also now 5-1 when playing on the fifth court.

Kopinski has now clinched three of the Illini's victories during the winning streak. The senior played on the first court and topped her Minnesota opponent 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 for her 13th win of the season. Kopinski joins Casati with a 6-3 mark in Big Ten play.

Boone defeated Minnesota's Aria Lambert on court four for the next Illinois point. Despite dropping the first set 6-4, Boone bounced back to claim the following sets 6-1 and 7-5. She is now 10-6 on the season and 6-2 against conference opponents.

Court six was the final match to finish on the day as Jade Hilton fell in a 6-1, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-8) fashion.

The Fighting Illini will return for the final matches of the season at the Atkins Tennis Center. Nebraska comes to town on Saturday, April 18, for a noon match. The next day Illinois will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at noon as well.

#58 Illinois 5, #61 Minnesota 2
Apr. 12, 2015 at Minneapolis, Minn. (Baseline Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Tereza Brichacova (MINN) 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
2. Alexis Casati (ILL) def. Caroline Ryba (MINN) 7-5, 6-1
3. Louise Kwong (ILL) def. Jessika Mozia (MINN) 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
4. Jerricka Boone (ILL) def. Aria Lambert (MINN) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
5. Madie Baillon (ILL) def. Julia Courter (MINN) 2-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Paula Rincon Otero (MINN) def. Jade Hilton (ILL) 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-8)

Doubles competition 1. Louise Kwong/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. Tereza Brichacova/Paula Rincon Otero (MINN) 8-2
2. Julia Courter/Jessika Mozia (MINN) def. Madie Baillon/Jerricka Boone (ILL) 8-5
3. Mehvish Safdar/Caroline Ryba (MINN) def. Grace Tapak/Alexis Casati (ILL) 8-0

Match Notes
Illinois 12-9 (4-5 Big Ten); National ranking #58
Minnesota 15-8 (5-4 Big Ten); National ranking #61
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (3,2,5,1,4,6)