Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – The Fighting Illini women's tennis team lost to No. 7 Northwestern on Sunday afternoon 6-1. With this loss, the Illini fall to 0-3 on the season.

The entire day was closer than the final score indicated, with intense battles on each of the singles courts and a big comeback from Illinois to win the doubles point.

Freshman Kate Duong and sophomore Ashley Yeah got the match going with a convincing win on court three, 6-3. After the Illini lost the matchup on court two, sophomore Josie Frazier and senior Asuka Kawai won a thrilling matchup on court one, 7-6.

The squad battled in singles matches, forcing the No. 7 team in the country down to the wire across the board. Ultimately the Wildcats were too much to handle for the Illini.

NEXT UP

Illinois is back at home next Friday, February 26 against Wisconsin. Matches will begin at 4:00 p.m. CT and be played at Atkins Tennis Center. They follow that with another home match against Minnesota on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Northwestern 6, Illinois 1

Doubles:

1.  Josie Frazier/Asuka Kawai (ILL) def. #47 Julie Byrne/Hannah McColgan (NU) 7-6   
2.  Christina Hand/Briana Crowley (NU) def. Sasha Belaya/Emilee Duong (ILL) 6-3
3.  Ashley Yeah/ Kate Duong (ILL) def Clarissa Hand/Maria Shusharina (NU) no result

Singles:

1. Julie Byrne (NU) def. Asuka Kawai (ILL) 5-7, 6-0, 7-6
2. Maria Shusharina (NU) def. Emilee Duong (ILL) 6-1, 6-2
3. Clarissa Hand (NU) def. Sasha Belaya (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
4. Briana Crowley (NU) def. Kate Duong (ILL) 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
5. Caroline Pozo (NU) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 6-3, 7-5
6. Hannah McColgan (NU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3

Records: Illinois (0-3) | Northwestern (6-1)

Follow the Illini

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Tennis. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for even more coverage.