LAS VEGAS – The Illinois women's tennis team bounced back on Monday (January 17) to earn its first win of the 2022 season with a 5-2 victory over BYU in the team's final match of the Bella the Ball Collegiate Invitational at the Darling Tennis Center.
"I am really happy for our team today," said head coach Evan Clark. "We had a really tough match to start our season yesterday and for them to bounce back today and beat a very good BYU team tells me a lot about the squad we have. These matches will really help us down the road with our tough nonconference and Big Ten schedule. We are excited to be back at Atkins on Thursday night for our home opener vs. Harvard."
The Illini (1-1) took the doubles point with a pair of 6-1 wins as the junior duo of Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah moved to 2-0 at No. 2 doubles, while junior Emily Casati and freshman Kasia Treiber took the win on court three.
Sophomore Kate Duong made quick work at No. 1 singles with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Leah Heimuli, before Yeah made it 3-0 with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Jacque Dunyon on court two. Treiber then sealed the win with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Emilee Astle at No. 5 singles. Heuser then rounded out the Illini singles victories with a come-from behind 1-6, 6-2, 6-0 win on court four.
With the match already decided, BYU got on the board with wins on court six and three for the 5-2 final.
Illinois next returns to Atkins Tennis Center for the 2022 home opener against Harvard on Thursday, January 20 at 5 p.m. CT, before a two-match day on Sunday, January 23 as the Illini host Eastern Illinois at 10 a.m. CT, before taking on Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. CT in Atkins Tennis Center.
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