Results (PDF)
URBANA, Ill. – The two most recent matches between the Fighting Illini and Northwestern Wildcats have been nothing short of hard-fought battles between Big Ten foes. In the last two meetings, UI has claimed the doubles point and been on the brink of victory, but has fallen just short of upsets in a pair of 4-3 decisions to the Wildcats. The Orange and Blue moved to 4-5 on the season with the loss, while Northwestern improved to 2-5.
"We've played a tough February schedule here at Atkins and now we're ready for March and to get out of Champaign a little bit and see some different teams and facilities," shared Illinois head coach Evan Clark. "I think our schedule gets much more manageable from here on out. We're excited to keep moving forward and today was a step in the right direction."
Illinois wasted no time to get out in front of Northwestern, claiming the doubles point in a dominant showing. Louise Kwong and Ines Vias took down the 13th-ranked tandem in the nation, 6-2, at No. 1. The Illini duo jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the top-25 team and before finishing the Wildcat pair off. This marks the second top-25 tandem that Kwong and Vias have defeated this season, while allowing their opposition a combined three games total in the two victories.
"I'm really pleased for Ines and Lou to get a ranked win and that gave us some momentum heading into singles," added Clark. "Ines and Louise got us off to a great start…with a great win for them."
Securing the opening tally for the Orange and Blue was the Illini tandem of Alexis Casati and Daniela Pedraza Novak at No. 3. UI won in a 6-3 fashion, claiming the final four games.
"Dani and Alexis have figured it out at three doubles and were able to get that one for us today," said Clark. "Doubles has not been an issue for us."
Jerricka Boone and Madie Baillon trailed 2-5 when the UI claimed the doubles point. The Illini duo was up against No. 35 Larner and Barnett at No. 2.
The Wildcats made their comeback in singles, winning the first two matches. The first action to wrap up was at No. 2, where Casati fell in a 6-0, 6-4 decision to Northwestern's Erin Larner. NU picked up its next point on the top court. Illinois' Kwong couldn't hold on against No. 35 Maddie Lipp in straight sets of 6-4, 6-3.
Illinois wasn't done yet though. Freshman Jaclyn Switkes got into the action with her first victory in Big Ten play. Switkes topped her NU counterpart in a 6-1, 7-5 decision. The victory was her seventh overall of the season.
"Jaclyn finally made the lineup and it was well deserved for her to win at six singles," stated Clark. "She's been working really, really hard and waiting for her time."
After falling 3-6 in the opening set, Baillon initiated her comeback. The Illini junior won the final sets in a convincing 6-0, 6-1 fashion, including victories in nine-straight games. Baillon's triumph was her third-straight win and moved the Illini side ahead 3-2 in the contest.
Action at Nos. 3 and 5 singles was midway through the third sets, where Vias and Pedraza Novak were battling against the Wildcats. Pedraza Novak finished first, after losing the opener 3-6, the freshman fired back to win the second set 6-4. However, in the deciding frame, Pedraza Novak fell to her NU counterpart, 1-6.
All eyes turned to court three, where Vias was mounting a comeback. The freshman trailed 0-3 and 1-4 in the final set before firing off three-straight games to get back into the contest. NU's Barnett took the next game, but Vias wasn't finished, winning the next two tallies to go ahead 6-5. The contest would ultimately be decided by a tiebreaker, in which Vias would fall just short in the 7-5 tally.
With the February homestand in the books, Illinois will hit the road for five-consecutive contests away from the Atkins Tennis Center spanning the month of March. First up, a weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, where the Orange and Blue will play the Badgers in a non-conference matchup on March 4, followed by a contest against William and Mary the following afternoon.
For more coverage of the Orange and Blue visit FIGHTINGILLINI.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#53 NORTHWESTERN 4, #59 ILLINOIS 3
DOUBLES
1: Louise Kwong / Ines Vias def. No. 13 Alex Chatt/Maddie Lipp (NU) – 6-2
2: Jerricka Boone / Madie Baillon vs. No. 35 Erin Larner/Alicia Barnett (NU) – 2-5, unfinished
3: Alexis Casati / Daniela Pedraza Novak def. Lee Or/Manon Peri (NU) – 6-3
SINGLES
1: No. 35 Maddie Lipp (NU) def. No. 113 Louise Kwong – 6-4, 6-3
2: Erin Larner (NU) def. Alexis Casati – 6-0, 6-4
3: Alicia Barnett (NU) def. Ines Vias – 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(5)
4: Madie Baillon def. Alex Chatt (NU) – 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
5: Jillian Rooney (NU) def. Daniela Pedraza Novak – 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
6: Jaclyn Switkes def. Lee Or (NU) – 6-1, 7-5
