TUSCALOOSA, ALA. – The Illinois women's tennis team was defeated by Alabama on the road, 6-1, in the season opener. The Fighting Illini move to 0-1 on the season, while the Crimson Tide improves to 3-0.
"It was a tough match, a tough battle," said head coach Evan Clark. "Credit to Alabama, they outplayed us at spots, were better on some big points and pulled out the matches. I certainly thought we competed well, but Alabama made adjustments quicker and did things a little better than us. Every match was competitive, and it was a battle to the end."
Alabama won the doubles point, with the duo of Danielle Spielmann and Andie Daniell defeating Madie Baillon and Jaclyn Switkes, 6-2, at the No. 2 spot. Erin Routliffe and Maddie Pothoff of the Crimson Tide took down the No. 32 pair of Louise Kwong and Ines Vias, 6-2, at No. 1 doubles.
In singles, Kwong fell to 86th-ranked Routliffe at the No. 1 singles spot, 6-2, 6-0. Baillon grabbed a point for the Illini, taking down Smith Hinton at No. 4 singles, 7-6 (4), 6-0.
At No. 3 singles, 109th-ranked Spielmann topped Switkes, 7-6 (2), 6-1. Alabama's Pothoff clinched the match with a 1-6, 6-0, 6-1 win at the No. 5 singles spot.
Alexis Casati fell to Daniell at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 7-6(4). Juliana Valero defeated Daniela Pedraza Novak, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, for the point at the No. 6 spot.
"We will bounce back for Sunday against Washington," Clark said. "There's a long season ahead of us. The girls will recover tomorrow, and we will be ready to go."
The Illini will play Washington at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, Jan. 22 in Tuscaloosa.
ALABAMA 6, ILLINOIS 1
SINGLES:
1. No. 86 Erin Routliffe (Alabama) def. Louise Kwong (Illinois) 6-2, 6-0
2. Andie Daniell (Alabama) def. Alexis Casati (Illinois) 6-3, 7-6(4)
3. No. 109 Danielle Spielmann (Alabama) def. Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) 7-6(2), 6-1
4. Madie Baillon (Illinois) def. Smith Hinton (Alabama) 7-6(4), 6-0
5. Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) def. Ines Vias (Illinois) 1-6, 6-0, 6-1
6. Juliana Valero (Alabama) def. Daniela Novak (Illinois) 6-2, 3-6, 6-1
Order of finish: 1, 4, 3, 5, 2, 6
DOUBLES:
1. Erin Routliffe/Maddie Pothoff (Alabama) def. No. 32 Louise Kwong/Ines Vias (Illinois) 6-2
2. Danielle Spielmann/Andie Daniell (Alabama) def. Madie Baillon/Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) 6-2
3. Smith Hinton/Juliana Valero (Alabama) vs. Alexis Casati/Daniela Novak (Illinois) 5-2 DNF
Order of finish: 2, 1
