Results (PDF)
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Illinois Women's Tennis made quick work of the fifth-seeded Maryland Terrapins on Friday morning in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, taking a 4-1 victory to open postseason play. UI's win advances the fourth-seeded unit to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals for the first time since the 2012 campaign, which was also the last time the Orange and Blue hit 15 wins in a season. Illinois improved to 15-8 with today's victory while the Terps closed the year at 10-12.
"This was one of the best matches we played all year top to bottom, so for it to come in the postseason is a positive sign," opened Illinois head coach Evan Clark. "We played well across the board in doubles and it was great to get three straight-set singles wins from Madie, Ines and Jaclyn."
Illinois got off to a hot start, claiming its 18th doubles point of the season. No. 44 Louise Kwong and Ines Vias got on the board first, taking down No. 84 Hovsepyan/Stanova from Maryland. After a close start, Illinois rattled off three games to jump out to a 5-1 lead before claiming the victory by a score of 6-3. Kwong and Vias are now 24-7 working together on the season.
Doubles Nos. 2 and 3 battled for the second decision in the morning contest. Ultimately, Jerricka Boone and Madie Baillon would earn the tally with a 6-3 win over Maryland's Sullivan/Tour duo. Freshmen Daniela Pedraza Novak and Jaclyn Switkes led 5-3 when their match was abandoned.
The Fighting Illini have now worked to a 41-16 reading across dual doubles matches for a 70.9 winning percentage this season. Additionally, UI has registered a 17-3 record on the top court this season.
Due to inclement weather conditions, Friday's Big Ten Tournament matches were played inside the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility that sports eight courts. With two quarterfinal contests slated for 9 a.m. CT, Illinois and Maryland opened singles play with flight Nos. 2-5 up first on the courts.
To get things going in singles, Baillon worked to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Maryland's Bredikhina at No. 4 to put the Orange and Blue up 2-0 in the match. The Illini junior is now 15-7 on the season in singles play.
Next off the courts was Illini freshman Vias, who took down her Terp counterpart in straight sets of 6-4, 6-3 in her Big Ten Tournament debut. Vias is now 18-12 on the season.
After falling by a 6-1 margin in the opening frame, Alexis Casati fought back to even things up following a 6-4 second set victory. Her Maryland counterpart at No. 3 proved to be too much, however, claiming the final frame in a 6-2 fashion to get the Terps on the board.
Finishing off the Illini victory was freshman Switkes at No. 5, who picked up her 15th win of the season. Switkes defeated Maryland's Ekaterina Tour in a 7-6(6), 6-2 fashion to clinch Illinois' 4-1 victory.
"This was one of the best matches we played all year top to bottom, so for it to come in the postseason is a positive sign," opened Illinois head coach Evan Clark. "We played well across the board in doubles and it was great to get three straight-set singles wins from Madie, Ines and Jaclyn."
Illinois advances to face top-seeded Ohio State who defeated Wisconsin in the other morning quarterfinal contest. First serve for the semifinal bout is slated for 9 a.m. CT, on Saturday, April 30.
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NO. 51 ILLINOIS 4, MARYLAND 1
Singles
1: Louise Kwong vs. Sullivan (MARY) – 1-2, unfinished
2: Ines Vias def. Stanova (MARY) – 6-4, 6-4
3: Hovsepyan (MARY) def. Alexis Casati – 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
4: Madie Baillon def. Bredikhina (MARY) – 6-3, 6-2
5: Jaclyn Switkes def. Tour (MARY) – 7-6(6), 6-2
6: Daniela Pedraza Novak vs. Thebault (MARY) – 0-1, unfinished
Doubles
1: No. 44 Ines Vias/Louise Kwong def. No. 84 Hovsepyan/Stanova (MARY) – 6-3
2: Jerricka Boone/Madie Baillon def. Sullivan/Tour (MARY) – 6-3
3: Daniela Pedraza Novak/Jaclyn Switkes vs. Bredikhina/Williams (MARY) – 5-3
Order of finish:
Doubles – 1, 2, uf
Singles – 4, 2, 3, 5
