Jan. 21, 2012
Final Stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -
Despite returning junior Ariane Maack to play this weekend, the Illinois State women's tennis team was swept in its first match of the season, 7-0, by the Illini today in Champaign, Ill. The Redbirds are now 0-1 overall before entering Missouri Valley Conference play. The Illini move to a 3-0 position overall.
"Ariane did okay considering it was her first match back," head coach Chris Hoover stated. "It wasn't great, but I know she'll be back competing at a high level soon."
Maack stepped into the No. 3 position and fell against Amy Allin, 6-0, 6-1. She and partner Hannah Esker played doubles in the No. 2 position and lost to Breanne Smutko and Chelcie Abajian, 8-1. Esker was swept while playing in the No. 6 position during a singles match against Julia Jamieson, 6-0, 6-0.
"It was a tough match," said Hoover. "It was definitely a rough start, but Phyllis and Stefanie both played pretty well. We still have a long way to go, but at least now we know where we stand."
Phyllis Tigges lost to Melissa Koninski in the No.2 position, 6-1, 6-3. Illinois's Allison Falkin and Rachael White defeated Tigges and partner Aniko Kiss, 8-3. Kiss, who finished third in the No. 1 position in the MVC Individual Championships, failed to score against Falkin in No. 1 singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Stefanie Youngberg fell to the Illini's Rachael White in the No. 4 position, 6-2, 6-1. She and Heather Nisbet lost to Allin and Julia Jamieson, 8-1. Gabby Phillips was also swept by Misia Kedzierski, 6-0, 6-0.
"We're going to be focusing on one thing this semester: competing harder," said Hoover. "We have a lot of work to do."
Illinois State will continue play against IUPUI on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. in Indianapolis.
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