Women's Tennis Falls at Illinois, 5-2

Jan. 19, 2008

URBANA, Ill. - The Marquette women's tennis team won the doubles point, but came up short in singles play falling at Illinois in the Golden Eagles' season opener Saturday afternoon, 5-2.

"Even though the match was 5-2, it was a four hour match," said head coach Jody Bronson. "For our first match out we played with so much energy and enthusiasm and it got away from ous. We were right there. We learned a lot of good things about that match."

The Golden Eagles took the doubles point after claiming wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 slots.

Down 7-6, the No. 2 duo of sophomore Kylie Moore and freshman Christina Ruiz rallied to win the final three points and defeat Marisa Lambropoulos and Annie McCarthy, 9-7.

The No. 3 double pair of seniors Maria Calbeto and Erin Watkins also registered a 9-7 win over their Illinois counterparts to give Marquette a 1-0 advantage heading into singles play.

Marquette took a 2-0 lead when Moore made quick work of Leigh Finnegan at No. 2 singles, 6-4, 6-2.

Illinois took the next two matches at Nos. 3 and 6 singles to level the affair, 2-2. Calbeto came up short at the No. 4 position, unable to take the three set match, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. In the match clincher, freshman Christina Ruiz also fell in three sets, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, to Shivani Dave at No. 5 singles.

Illinois wrapped up the victory when Fudge won a three-set marathon over Junior Lauren Little, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.

"I was very proud of the team and how they played. We are ahead of where we were last weekend. We are looking forward to the upcoming weekend against Ohio State and Oklahoma."

The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday, Jan. 25, for their home opener at the Helfaer Tennis Center against Ohio State. Doubles action will begin at 4 p.m.

ILLINOIS 5, MARQUETTE 2
1/19/2008 AT URBANA, ILL. (ATKINS TENNIS CENTER)

Singles competition
1. Megan Fudge (ILL) vs. Lauren Little (MARQ), 5-7, 6-2, 6-3
2. Kylie Moore (MARQ) def. Leigh Finnegan (ILL), 6-4, 6-2
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) def. Erin Watkins (MARQ), 6-3, 6-2
4. Kristina Minor (ILL) def. Maria Calbeto (MARQ), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
5. Shivani DavÃƒÂ© (ILL) def. Christina Ruiz (MARQ), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
6. Momei Qu (ILL) def. Margaret Wilson (MARQ), 6-3, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Megan Fudge / Leigh Finnegan (ILL) def. Lauren Little / Shannon Brown (MARQ), 8-1
2. Kylie Moore / Christina Ruiz (MARQ) def. Marisa Lambropoulos / Annie McCarthy (ILL), 9-7
3. Maria Calbeto / Erin Watkins (MARQ) def. Kristina Minor / Shivani DavÃƒÂ© (ILL), 9-7