Box Score

URBANA, Ill. – The No. 14 Fighting Illini women's tennis team swept the Minnesota Gophers, 4-0 on Friday afternoon at the Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois improves to 18-3 overall this season and 7-2 in Big Ten play. The Illini's 18 wins this season matches the fifth-most in program history.

In doubles play, the Illini continued their dominance at Atkins.  Illinois has clinched the point in every home contest this year. With wins on courts one and three, Illinois earned the early advantage and improve to 16-1 when winning the doubles point.

Singles action saw the Illini freshman take care of business. Emilee Duong was first off the court with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Cammy Frei at the No. 6 position. Mia Rabinowitz won her eighth-straight singles match after topping Barbara Mancera, 6-1, 6-4. Asuka Kawai clinched the Illini sweep on court two with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Tina Kreinis.

Up next, the Illini host Senior Day on Sunday against the Wisconsin Badgers. Illinois will honor seniors Jade Hilton and Grace Tapak prior to first serve at noon.

Illini Notes

• The Illini's 18 wins during the 2018 campaign sits at No. 5 in the Illinois record books and is the most wins in a single season for the Orange and Blue since the 2012 season.
• Illinois has won six-straight matches against Minnesota, dating back to the 2011 season.
• The Illini have not lost the doubles point at home this season and are 16-1 when winning the doubles point.
• Rabinowitz extended her singles winning streak to eight matches.

Final Results

#14 Illinois 4, Minnesota 0

Doubles-Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3*

1. #44 Belaya/Pedraza-Novak (Illinois) def. Safdar/Merzbacher (Minnesota) 6-2
2. Kreinis/Emme (Minnesota) def. Duong/Switkes (Illinois) 6-2
3. Kawai/Rabinowitz (Illinois) def. Hart/Ryba (Minnesota) 6-1

Singles-Order of Finish: 6, 4, 2*

1. #86 Jaclyn Switkes (Illinois) vs. Caroline Ryba (Minnesota) 6-3, 3-3, unf.
2. Asuka Kawai (Illinois) def. Tina Kreinis (Minnesota) 6-1, 6-4
3. Daniela Pedraza-Novak (Illinois) vs. Annemarie Emme (Minnesota) 7-6(1), 5-1, unf.
4. Mia Rabinowitz (Illinois) def. Barbara Mancera (Minnesota) 6-1, 6-4
5. Sasha Belaya (Illinois) vs. Caitlyn Merzbacher (Minnesota) 5-7, 4-3, unf.
6. Emilee Duong (Illinois) def. Cammy Frei (Minnesota) 6-3, 6-4

Records: Illinois (18-3, 7-2) | Minnesota (13-9, 5-2)

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