Box Score 

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Fighting Illini women's tennis team defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 4-1 on Friday afternoon at the MSU Indoor Tennis Courts. Illinois improves to 13-11 overall this season and 7-3 in Big Ten play.

Illinois earned the early lead in the match by clinching the doubles point. On court two, senior Madie Baillon and sophomore Jaclyn Switkes won 6-4. Senior Alexis Casati and sophomore Daniela Novak topped Michigan State's Chua and Faulkner, 7-5 on court three to clinch the point.

In singles action, Switkes was first off the court with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Davina Nguyen on court four. MSU would earn its lone team point on court three with Metcalf's win over Baillon, 0-6, 6-1, 6-3. Junior Grace Tapak pushed Illinois's advantage to 3-1 with a 6-2, 7-6 victory at the No. 6 position. Novak clinched the Illini win on court five. Novak defeated Trouillot, 7-6, 7-5.

Up next, Illinois will host the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday at the Atkins Tennis Center. First serve is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT. 

Head Coach Evan Clark's Thoughts

"What a great effort from our group today. Michigan State did not make anything easy so it was nice to see out kids pull through after being in some tough spots. This match will give us a lot of confidence heading into Sunday. We are excited to host yet another top-10 team in Michigan on Sunday. Our seniors have meant the world to our program and I know our team wants to send them off the in the right way."

Final Results

Illinois 4, Michigan State 1

Doubles- Order of Finish: 2, 3*

1. Kwong/Vias (Illinois) vs. Metcalf/Nguyen (MSU) 6-5, unf.
2. Baillon/Switkes (Illinois) def. Memije/Trouillot (MSU) 6-4
3. Casati/Novak (Illinois) def. Chua/Faulkner (MSU) 7-5

Singles-Order of Finish: 4, 3, 6, 5*

1. Louise Kwong (Illinois) vs. Aslina Chua (MSU) 5-7, 6-2, 0-1, unf.
2. Alexis Casati (Illinois) vs. Erin Faulkner (MSU) 4-6, 7-5, 0-1, unf.
3. Emily Metcalf (MSU) def. Madie Baillon (Illinois) 0-6, 6-1, 6-3
4. Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) def. Davina Nguyen (MSU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Daniela Novak (Illinois) def. Athen Trouillot (MSU) 7-6, 7-5
6. Grace Tapak (Illinois) def. Samantha Memije (MSU) 6-2, 7-6

Records: Illinois 13-11, 7-3 | Michigan State 17-6, 7-3