Hawkeyes Fall To Illinois on Big Ten Road Trip

April 5, 2009

Champaign, IL-

The University of Iowa women’s tennis team was defeated by the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, IL today, 5-2. This brings the Hawkeyes to 7-11 (2-5 Big Ten) this season.

Iowa dropped all three of their doubles matches against the Fighting Illini. Sophomore Lynne Poggensee-Wei and freshman Ally Majercik were the first to concede the win, falling 8-4 at the No. 3 position. The Illini clinched a doubles win with a lost by junior Kelcie Klockenga and sophomore Alexis Dorr at the No. 2 spot, 8-4. No. 1 doubles pair of freshman Sonja Molnar and sophomore Jessica Young also lost 8-4, for an Illinois sweep of doubles.

The Hawkeyes headed into the singles competition down 1-0 in team standings to No. 40 Illinois. No. 1 doubles player, #87 Molnar defeated ranked opponent, #111 Leigh Finnegan in a quick match 6-1, 6-0 to tie the meet at 1-1. Majercik was the next Hawkeye to finish, falling to Annie McCarthy, 7-6, 6-3 at the No. 6 position. Dorr was defeated at the No. 2 spot by #108 Megan Fudge, 6-3, 6-1. Iowa saw another victory, with Klockenga coming away victorious over Chelcie Abajian at the No. 4 position, 7-6, 6-4, bringing the meet score to 3-2. After fighting in a three-set match at the No. 3 spot, Poggensee-Wei fell to Marisa Lambropoulos 6-3, 2-6, 6-1, clinching an Illinois win. Young was the last Hawkeye to finish, falling to Amy Allin in a three-set match at the No. 5 position, 3-6, 7-6, 7-5.

Iowa will return to the courts April 11 and 12, hosting Big Ten opponents at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The Hawkeyes will face Wisconsin (5-13, 0-6) April 11 at 11 a.m., and No. 1 Northwestern (17-1, 6-0) April 12 at 11 a.m.

Doubles Competition
1. Chelcie Abajian/Leigh Finnegan (Illinois) def. Jessica Young/Sonja Molnar (Iowa) 8-4
2. Megan Fudge/Marisa Lambropoulos (Illinois) def. Alexis Dorr/Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) 8-4
3. Annie McCarthy/Amy Allin (Illinois) def. Ally Majercik/Lynne Poggensee-Wei (Iowa) 8-4

Singles Competition
1. #87 Sonja Molnar (Iowa) def. #111 Leigh Finnegan (Illinois) 6-1, 6-0
2. #108 Megan Fudge (Illinois) def. Alexis Dorr (Iowa) 6-3, 6-1
3. Marisa Lambropoulos (Illinois) def. Lynne Poggensee-Wei (Iowa) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
4. Kelcie Klockenga (Iowa) def. Chelcie Abajian (Illinois) 7-6, 6-4
5. Amy Allin (Illinois) def. Jessica Young (Iowa) 3-6, 7-6, 7-5
6. Annie McCarthy (Illinois) def. Ally Majercik (Iowa) 7-6, 6-3

Match Notes
Iowa 7-11, 2-5; National ranking 69
Illinois 14-4, 5-1; National ranking 40
Order of Finish: Doubles (3,2,1) Singles (1,6,2,4,3,5)