Illini Win Third-Straight as Xu Clinches Again

Recap

URBANA, Ill. – Illinois women's tennis won its third straight game with Sunday's 4-1 victory over No. 69 Indiana. After dropping the doubles point, the Orange and Blue won all four decisions on the singles court to secure the victory outdoors from Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois has now won three matches this season after losing the opening tally.

Illinois improved to 8-7 on the season and 4-1 in Big Ten play. The Illini are now 6-4 this season when playing in Atkins Tennis Center. No. 69 Indiana moved to 11-6 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play with Sunday's result.

Indiana got on the board first, claiming the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and 2 but it would be all Illini after that.

Illinois won all six first sets of singles play and then four of the five completed second frames.

First off the courts, getting Illinois on the scoreboard, was Cara Mester. The sophomore cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles and improved to 13-4 overall on the season and 4-1 in Big Ten play.

No. 29-ranked McKenna Schaefbauer followed suit with a 6-3, 6-2 decision on the top court to give Illinois a 2-1 lead. The Illini senior has now won three straight singles matches and has claimed six of her last seven outings. Schaefbauer improved to 19-7 on the season and 4-1 in Big Ten matches.

A few minutes later, Tess Bucher got on the board with a 6-4, 6-2 straight set victory at No. 4, pushing the Illini advantage to 3-1. The win marked Bucher's five of the season and improved her to 3-3 in her last six decisions.

For the second time in as many days, Alice Xu clinched victory for the Fighting Illini. Xu earned a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 5 singles to secure the 4-1 Illinois final score. Xu has won four straight matches for a 4-0 Big Ten reading, and holds an 8-4 record on the campaign.

NEXT UP

Following a three-game homestand, Illinois heads to the Pacific Northwest with matches at Oregon (March 27) and Washington (March 29) next weekend.

ILLINOIS (8-7, 4-1) 4, #69 INDIANA (11-6, 1-4) 1

Doubles:
1 - A. Teodosescu/Williams (IND) def. Tess Bucher/McKenna Schaefbauer (ILL) - 6-3
2 - Dunac/Sorey (IND) def. Cara Mester/Alice Xu (ILL) - 7-5
3 - Kimiko Cooper/Ariel Madatali (ILL) vs. Boyer/N. Teodosescu (IND) - 6-5 unfinished

Order of finish: 2, 1

Singles:
1 - No. 29 McKenna Schaefbauer (ILL) def. Ameia Sorey (IND) - 6-3, 6-2
2 - Kimiko Cooper (ILL) vs. Alessandra Teodosescu (IND) - 6-4, 0-6, 5-0, unfinished
3 - Ariel Madatali (ILL) vs. Elisabeth Dunac (IND) - 6-2, 3-5 unfinished
4 - Tess Bucher (ILL) def. Nicole Teodosescu (IND) - 6-4, 6-2
5 - Alice Xu (ILL) vs. Hiilani Williams (IND) - 6-2, 7-5
6 - Cara Mester (ILL) def. Nicole Sifuentes (IND) - 6-0, 6-2