Bloomington, Ind. – The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 6-1 on Friday afternoon at the IU Varsity Tennis Courts. Illinois improves to 10-10 overall this season and 5-3 in Big Ten play.

"It was really tough conditions today and the team was able to handle it very well for the most part," said head coach Evan Clark. "It was nice to see our kids get a bounce back win vs. Indiana after last Sunday's match." 

In doubles action, Illinois jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage. Alexis Casati and Daniela Pedraza Novak blanked the Hoosier duo of Caitlin Bernard and Pauline Jahren, 6-0 on court three. The No. 60-ranked pair of Madison Appel and Kim Schmider defeated Illinois's Ines Vias and Louise Kwong, 6-3 on court one. Illinois clinched the doubles point on court two with Jaclyn Switkes and Madie Baillon 6-4 defeat of Natalie Whalen and Paula Gutierrez.

Singles play began with Daniela Novak's 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kim Schmider on court five. Illinois pushed the Orange and Blue advantage to 3-0 with Grace Tapak's win over Pauline Jahren 6-1, 6-3 on court six. Indiana's Madison Appel would earn the team's sole point on court one with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Kwong. Baillon would clinch the team victory 6-4, 6-2 on court three over Caitlin Bernard.

The remaining singles matches would play out. Switkes defeated Whalen 7-5, 6-2 at the No. 3 position. Casati would be the final Illini off the court with a 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-3) victory on two.

"We will get rested up tomorrow as we need to be ready to go vs. Purdue on Sunday," Clark said.

UP NEXT

The Illini are back in action on Sunday taking on the Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind. First serve against Purdue is set for 11 a.m. CT.

Illinois 6, Indiana 1

DOUBLES

1. #60 Appel/Schmider (Indiana) def. Vias/Kwong (Illinois) 6-3
2. Switkes/Baillon (Illinois) def. Whalen/Gutierrez (Indiana) 6-4
3. Casati/Pedraza Novak (Indiana) def. Bernard/Jahren (Indiana) 6-0

Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2*

SINGLES

1. Madison Appel (Indiana) def. Louise Kwong (Illinois) 6-1, 7-5
2. Alexis Casati (Illinois) def. Paula Gutierrez (Indiana) 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-3)
3. Madie Baillon (Illinois) def. Caitlin Bernard (Indiana) 6-4, 6-2
4. Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) def. Natalie Whalen (Indiana) 7-5, 6-2
5. Daniela Pedraza Novak (Illinois) def. Kim Schmider (Indiana) 6-2, 6-3
6. Grace Tapak (Illinois) def. Pauline Jahren (Indiana) 6-1, 6-3

Order of Finish: 5, 6, 1, 3*, 4, 2