IOWA CITY, Iowa. – The Illinois women's tennis team defeated Iowa on Friday, 5-2. The victory is the fifth-straight for the Fighting Illini, as they improve to 9-9 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while Iowa falls to 13-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
"First of all, credit to Iowa for playing a really hard-fought match today," said head coach Evan Clark. "They are much improved and (head coach) Sasha Schmid has done a fantastic job with them."
Iowa won the first point, taking the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches. The Hawkeyes' Zoe Douglas and Kristen Thoms defeated Alexis Casati and Daniela Pedraza Novak at the No. 3 position, and Elise Van Heuvelen and Adorabol Huckleby edged Louise Kwong and Ines Vias in the No. 1 doubles match, 7-6 (8-6). Illinois claimed the match at No. 2 doubles, with Madie Baillon and Jaclyn Switkes topping Anastasia Reimchen and Montana Crawford, 6-2.
The Illini would get three quick points in singles play, winning each of the No. 6, No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches in straight sets. Grace Tapak earned the win at the No. 6 position over Aimee Tarun, 6-2, 6-2, and was quickly followed by Baillon's 6-1, 6-2 victory at the No. 3 spot over Reimchen, and Switkes' 6-2, 6-2 win in the No. 4 singles match against Huckleby. After falling in the first set to Van Heuvelen, Kwong went on to win the No. 1 singles match, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5, clinching the victory for Illinois.
Casati took down Douglas at the No. 2 position, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, and Iowa's Crawford defeated Pedraza Novak at the No. 5 spot, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-5, making the final score 5-2.
"I was really pleased with the way the team responded in singles after losing the doubles point," Clark said. "It was really nice to get three routine wins from Grace, Madie and Jaclyn. They did a fantastic job and really change the momentum of the match quickly. Alexis and Lou battled and found a way to win. It was great to see them finish the match off for us. This team continues to get better each match and we are excited to compete again on Sunday against a very good Nebraska team."
UP NEXT
The Illini will continue their road trip and head to Lincoln, Nebraska, to face the Cornhuskers on Sunday, April 2 at 10 a.m. CT
Illinois 5, Iowa 2
DOUBLES
1. Elise Van Heuvelen/Adorabol Huckleby (IOWA) def. Louise Kwong/Ines Vias (ILL) 7-6 (8-6)
2. Jaclyn Switkes/Madie Baillon (ILL) def. Anastasia Reimchen/Montana Crawford (IOWA) 6-2
3. Zoe Douglas/Kristen Thoms (IOWA) def. Alexis Casati/Daniela Pedraza Novak (ILL) 6-4
Order of finish: (2, 3, 1)
SINGLES
1. Louise Kwong (ILL) def. Elise Van Heuvelen (IOWA) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. Alexis Casati (ILL) def. Zoe Douglas (IOWA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Madie Baillon (ILL) def. Anastasia Reimchen (IOWA) 6-1, 6-2
4. Jaclyn Switkes (ILL) def. Adorabol Huckleby (IOWA) 6-2, 6-2
5. Montana Crawford (IOWA) def. Daniela Pedraza Novak (ILL) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-5
6. Grace Tapak (ILL) def. Aimee Tarun (IOWA) 6-2, 6-2
Order of finish: (6, 3, 4, 1, 2, 5)
