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Illini End ITA Kick-Off Weekend with 6-1 Loss to #3 Duke
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Freshman Melissa Kopinski won the only match for the Orange and Blue on Saturday.
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Jan. 29, 2012
DURHAM, N.C. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday night, falling to third-ranked Duke, 6-1, at the ITA Kick-off Weekend in Durham, N.C. Freshman Melissa Kopinski picked up the lone victory for the Orange and Blue, marking her fourth singles win of the season. With the loss, the Illini fall to 4-1 on the year, while Duke improves to 4-0 and advances to the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.
"We were right there battling with the third-ranked team in the country, so there are certainly a lot of positives we can take away from today," Illini head coach Michelle Dasso said. "But do I think we can do better? Absolutely. Melissa Kopinski came up with a big-time singles win today and was very impressive throughout her match."
Kopinski showed resiliency, posting an impressive comeback after dropping her first set. The Illini newcomer maintained her composure and recovered to secure a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 117 Rachel Kahan at No. 3 singles, taking down her first ranked opponent of the spring.
Senior Amy Allin showed a strong effort as well, coming up just short in a three-set battle with Ester Goldfeld at the No. 4 spot. The Dallas, Texas, native eventually dropped the match, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.
The Illini lost the doubles point for the first time this season, putting themselves at an early disadvantage going into singles play, where they faced five nationally ranked opponents.
The Orange and Blue will return home next weekend to face SMU on Friday, Feb. 3 at Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana.
Singles
1. #7 Beatrice Capra (DU) def. Marisa Lambropoulos (ILL) 6-0, 6-1
2. #38 Hanna Mar (DU) def. Allison Falkin (ILL) 6-2, 6-3
3. Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. #117 Rachel Kahan (DU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
4. Ester Goldfeld (DU) def. Amy Allin (ILL) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
5. #66 Mary Clayton (DU) def. Rachael White (ILL) 6-2, 6-0
6. #97 Annie Mulholland (DU) def. Misia Kedzierski (ILL) 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. Ester Goldfeld/Mary Clayton (DU) def. Allison Falkin/Rachael White (ILL) 8-4
2. Beatrice Capra/Rachel Kahan (DU) def. #27 Breanne Smutko/Chelsea Abajian (ILL) 8-4
3. Hanna Mar/Monica Gorny (DU) vs. Marisa Lambropoulos/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) 7-4, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (5,1,2,3,6,4)
