University of Illinois
Purdue Invitational
Illini Get Back into Action at the Purdue Invite
January 31, 2021 | Women's Tennis
RECAP
WEST LAFAYETTE - Ind. – The Illinois women's tennis team finally got back to action at the Purdue Invite this weekend following a nearly eleven-month break due to COVID-19. The Illini played singles and doubles matches each day from Friday-Sunday and there were no team scores kept for this event.
"I can't tell you how thrilled I was to see our team back on the courts competing again," head Coach Evan Clark had to say about the squad. "We've all missed it so much and we are grateful to be back doing what we do best."
Sophomores Josie Frazier, Emily Casati and Ashley Yeah led the Illini in the event by each posting a 3-0 record in singles matches over the three days.
"I was so pleased and encouraged by our team's play this weekend," Clark commented. "We certainly have a lot of room for improvement, but it was a great start from our squad."
On Friday, Illinois took on Purdue and secured one doubles win and four singles wins. The Illini were led by Frazier who won her singles match 6-1, 6-1 as well as her doubles match with senior Asuka Kawai by a score of 6-2. Casati also grabbed a singles win for the squad, securing a 6-0, 6-4 victory.
Full Friday Results vs. Purdue
Doubles
Ena Babic/Csilla Fodor (PUR) def. Emilee Duong/Kate Duong (ILL) – 7-5
Asuka Kawai/Josie Frazier (ILL) def. Rut Galindo/Seira Shimizu (PUR) – 6-2
Nathalia Wolf Gasparin/Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Ashley Yeah/Emily Casati (ILL) – 6-1
Singles
Ena Babic (PUR) def. Asuka Kawai (ILL) – 6-1, 6-3
Csilla Fodor (PUR) def. Kate Duong (ILL) – 6-1, 6-2
Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Seira Shimizu (PUR) – 6-3, 7-6 (5)
Emilee Duong (ILL) def. Zala Dovnik (PUR) – 6-1, 6-3
Josie Frazier (ILL) def. Rut Galindo (PUR) – 6-1, 6-1
Emily Casati (ILL) def. Zeynep Naz Ozturk (PUR) – 6-0, 6-4
The action continued on Saturday as the Illini faced off against the Michigan State Spartans. The Illini managed to take two doubles wins and five out seven singles matches on the day. In addition to Frazier and Kawai, freshman Kate Duong and senior Emilee Duong all took home wins in both singles and doubles matches.
Full Saturday Results vs. MSU
Doubles
Duong, K/Duong, E (ILL) def. Pietrowicz/Can (MSU) 6-4
Kawai/Frazier (ILL) def. Lewis/Zdrubecka (MSU) 6-0
Memje/Stephens (MSU) def. Casati/Yeah (ILL) 6-2
Singles
Lewis (MSU) def. Kawai (ILL) 6-0,6-3
Duong, Emilee (ILL) def. Memje (MSU) 6-1,6-4
Duong, Kate (ILL) def. Lemonds (MSU) 6-4,6-4
Yeah (ILL) def. Pietrowicz (MSU) 6-3,3-6,7-6(7)
Frazier (ILL) def. Can (MSU) 7-6(7), 6-4
Casati (ILL) def. Zdrubecka (MSU) 6-2,5-7,6-2
Timotin (MSU) def. Ingle (ILL) 6-3,3-6,10-8
The Illini concluded the weekend facing off against Iowa on Sunday. Illinois won three singles matches behind Frazier, Casati, and Yeah.
Full Sunday Results vs. Iowa
Doubles
Noel/Mannix (IOWA) def. K. Duong/ E. Duong (ILL) – 6-4
Von Heuvelen/Gillas (IOWA) def. Kawai/Frazier (ILL) – 6-4
Burich/ Bauers (IOWA) def. Casati/Yeah (ILL) – 7-5
Singles
Noel (IOWA) def. E. Duong (ILL) – 6-4, 6-7 (6), 10-4
Van Heuvelen (IOWA) def. Kawai (ILL) – 7-5, 6-1
Mannix (IOWA) def. K. Duong (ILL) – 6-3, 7-6 (3)
Frazier (ILL) def. Gillas (IOWA) – 6-1, 6-1
Yeah (ILL) def. Burich (IOWA) – 7-5, 7-5
Casati (ILL) def. Bauers (IOWA) – 7-5, 2-6, 6-1
"We are excited about our start and we are looking forward to improving on our results next weekend," Coach Clark concluded about the match.
Up Next
Next weekend the Illini will travel home to host the Illinois Invitational at the Atkins Tennis Center. This event will follow a similar format to this weekend's matches, as no team scores will be recorded. More information regarding this event will be released this week.
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