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Illinois will host Purdue and Indiana this weekend at Atkins Tennis Center.
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March 31, 2011
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois women's tennis team (4-8, 1-1 Big Ten) continues its Big Ten slate at home this weekend, as it will host Purdue (8-5, 2-1) on Saturday at noon and Indiana (10-6, 0-3) on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois has claimed its last four matches against Purdue dating back to 2008, though the Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 27-25. Against Indiana, the Illini have won the last two matches, but the Hoosiers hold a 33-8 all-time series lead.
Live scoring for both matches will be available HERE.
CAMPBELL/ITA NATIONAL RANKINGS
In new individual rankings released Tuesday, sophomore Rachael White came in at No. 96 in singles, while in doubles, White checked in at No. 20 with freshman Allison Falkin and junior Chelcie Abajian and sophomore Breanne Smutko were ranked No. 67. White and Falkin currently lead the team with 11 wins overall, with Abajian and Smutko close behind with 10 on the year.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
After opening the season 6-1, Purdue has dropped four of its last six matches including two to top-25 opponents Yale and Michigan. The Boilermakers' two wins came against Big Ten foes Michigan State and Indiana, picking up a pair of 4-3 victories. Bhavani Tirumurti leads the way in singles with 17 wins on the year, followed by Imogen Golder (16) and Gisella Pere (15). In doubles, the tandem of Mara Schmidt and Jennifer Rabot are the lone ranked Boilermakers, checking in at No. 38.
Indiana also has struggled as of late, as the Hoosiers are currently riding a four-match losing streak after winning their previous three matches. The losses came to top-25 opponents Notre Dame and Michigan as well as Big Ten foes Michigan State and Purdue. Indiana will face Iowa on Saturday before battling the Illini on Sunday. A trio of Hoosiers have compiled 20 wins on the year including Charlotte Martin, Evgeniya Vertesheva and Leslie Hureau.
LAST TIME OUT
The Illini dropped a heartbreaker at Ohio State on March 27, as the Buckeyes held on to claim a 4-3 win. After falling behind 1-0 after doubles, Illinois stormed back in singles to take a 3-1 advantage, but Ohio State held off the Illini in the final three matches for the victory.
Junior Amy Allin recorded her team-best 16th win of the season and second at the No. 1 spot with a 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Kelsey Haviland, while No. 98 sophomore Rachael White was victorious at the No. 2 spot over Gabby Steele, 6-4, 7-5, and junior Chelcie Abajian knocked off Fidan Manashirova, 6-3, 6-1. Allin and White also picked up an 8-6 win at the top spot in doubles over Kelsey Haviland and Cami Hubbs.
UP NEXT
Illinois will host Iowa next Friday at 3 p.m., before traveling to in-state rival No. 18 Northwestern on Sunday at 11 a.m.
