Results

URBANA, Ill. - In the first Illinois women's tennis action at the Atkins Tennis Center in nearly a month, the Fighting Illini did not disappoint as they controlled No. 33 Long Beach State for a 4-1 non-conference victory. Illinois moved to 8-9 on the season and handed the 49ers just the fifth loss of their season in the first-ever meeting between the programs.

"Total team effort today," head coach Michelle Dasso shared. "It's nice starting off with the doubles point, and then Madie Baillon did a great job at six singles for us today."

The Fighting Illini claimed the doubles point thanks to wins on the top two courts. Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong worked to their ninth win of the season as they defeated LBSU's top duo 6-3. The sophomore-senior duo went up 4-1 before the 49ers climbed back to 4-3, but the Illini claimed the final two games for the final outcome.

After being down 3-1, Jerricka Boone and Madie Baillon battled back to win their fifth match of the season by a 6-4 decision. The duo worked to tie the set at 3-3 before taking the match and clinching the Fighting Illini doubles point.

Alexis Casati and Grace Tapak were up 5-4 when Illinois claimed the doubles decision.

First to finish in singles was court six, where Grace Tapak fell in straight sets of 6-2, 6-1. The 49er win tied the match at 1-1.

Next off the court was Louise Kwong on court three after picking up her ninth singles victory of the season. Kwong defeated LBSU's Hayley Thompson in straight sets of 6-3.

"Lou did a great job again," Dasso said of Kwong's win. "She's been playing some fantastic ball this entire year for us and has been one of our most consistent performers."

Baillon extended the Illini lead to 3-1 in the match with a 7-5, 7-6(3) victory on court six. Baillon is now 5-5 on the season including a 3-1 mark on the last court.

With the Illini needing just one more point to clinch the win, all eyes turned to court two, where Kopinski and the 49ers' Ebba Unden were coming down to the wire in the second set. Kopinski trailed 15-40 in the final game of the first set before grabbing the next three points to win the opener 7-5. The Illinois senior was hitting her marks and clinched the match for the hosts with a straight-set decision as she won the second set 7-5 as well.

"Obviously to see our senior Mel clinch was pretty big for her; I'm excited for her. Again, across the board, really good job," Dasso said.

On court one, Casati won the first set 6-2 but fell in the next frame 4-6. In the unfinished third set, the Illinois sophomore held a 4-0 advantage. Down on court five, Boone fell in the opening set 3-6 before bouncing back for a 7-5 win in the second set. LBSU's Rozenberg held a slim 2-1 lead when Illinois picked up the victory.

No. 75 Maryland comes to town on Saturday for the first conference meeting between the programs. First serve is slated for noon. Then, on Sunday, the Illini will host Rutgers for a 10 a.m. contest.

"You know we're not going to lighten up by any means, we can't afford to," stated Dasso. "It's back to Big Ten play, and we are hungry."