Results (PDF)
URBANA, Ill. – Illinois Women's Tennis took care of business Friday afternoon at the Atkins Tennis Center, claiming a 4-3 victory over the Michigan State Spartans. The win over MSU improved the Orange and Blue to 8-2 in Big Ten play and moves the Illini to 14-7 overall. Michigan State fell to 12-10 overall and 4-6 in league play with the loss. Today's win is Illinois' first victory over the Spartans since the 2002-03 campaign.
Despite a slow start in doubles, Illinois picked up victories on the odd-numbered courts to claim the match's opening tally for the 17th time on the season. UI now owns a combined 39-14 record on the doubles courts, including an 18-7 reading in the Big Ten.
Freshmen Daniela Pedraza Novak and Jaclyn Switkes improved to 3-1 in Big Ten play when teaming up, thanks to a 6-0 win at No. 3 doubles to get things going for Illinois. Meanwhile at No. 2, the Orange and Blue tandem of Madie Baillon and Jerricka Boone suffered a 6-3 loss to Michigan State's Meyers/Metcalf duo.
All eyes turned to the top court where a pair of ranked duos were battling to decide the contest's opening point. No. 45 Louise Kwong and Ines Vias were knotted with No. 60 Faulkner and Baer at 4-4 before the Illini tandem pocketed the final two games for the victory. Kwong and Vias earned their 23rd win together and progressed to 9-1 in league play with today's triumph.
With the doubles point in hand, the Illini headed to singles and quickly seized a 2-0 advantage, thanks to Pedraza Novak's work at No. 6. The Illini freshman took down her counterpart in a short-lived 6-1, 6-0 contest.
Michigan State pulled within a point after taking the decision at No. 5. Boone fell in straight sets of 6-3, 6-3 to MSU's Trouillot. The Spartans went on to knot things up after taking a three-set decision at No. 4. After winning the opening frame, Switkes fell in the following two sets.
Down at No. 1, Kwong trailed 4-5 but fought back to collect the opening set tiebreaker 7-4. The Illini junior made quick work of Michigan State's Faulkner in the second set, turning in a 6-2 decision for her 16th victory of the season.
MSU would counter once more, evening the match at 3-3 with the victory at No. 3. Baillon dropped a nail bitter, 7-5, 7-6(2).
Play at No. 2 singles would serve as the deciding factor on the afternoon. Illinois' Vias clashed with MSU's Baylis in the three setter that ultimately favored the Orange and Blue. After falling in the opening set 7-6(4), Vias bounced back with a 6-0 win in set two to even things up. The freshman clinched the Illinois victory with a 6-2 third-set decision. Vias is now 3-1 when competing at No. 2 and owns a 17-12 record during her debut season.
UI will close the regular season at No. 10 Michigan on Sunday. The Wolverines are now 17-5 overall and 9-1 in the Big Ten after falling to Northwestern on Friday. Sunday's first serve is slated for 2 p.m. CT.
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#54 Illinois 4, Michigan State 3
Singles competition
1. #112 Louise Kwong (ILL) def. Erin Faulkner (MSU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
2. Ines Vias (ILL) def. Lexi Baylis (MSU) 6-7 (4-7), 6-0, 6-2
3. Davina Nguyen (MSU) def. Madie Baillon (ILL) 7-5, 7-6 (7-2)
4. Emily Metcalf (MSU) def. Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) 1-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Athena Trouillot (MSU) def. Jerricka Boone (ILL) 6-3, 6-3
6. Daniela Pedraza Novak (ILL) def. Emily Meyers (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #45 Louise Kwong/Ines Vias (ILL) def. #60 Erin Faulkner/Allie Baer (MSU) 6-4
2. Emily Meyers/Emily Metcalf (MSU) def. Madie Baillon/Jerricka Boone (ILL) 6-3
3. Daniela Pedraza Novak/Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) def. Athena Trouillot/Davina Nguyen (MSU) 6-0
Match Notes:
Michigan State 12-10; 4-6 B1G
Illinois 14-7; 8-2 B1G; National ranking #54
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,5,4,1,3,2)
T-3:04 A-152
