Friday, 10/19/2012

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini women's tennis team went 2-1 on opening day of the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Thursday at Atkins Tennis Center. Junior Misia Kedzierski and freshman Audrey O'Connor won their qualifying matches to advance to day two of the six-day tournament.

"It was a successful first day," head coach Michelle Dasso said. "A lot of tennis was played. I was really proud of Misia and Audrey for digging deep and getting their wins. Julia (Jamieson) lost but showed a lot of positive signs, particularly in her second set."

Three Illini, including Kedzierski, O'Connor and sophomore Julia Jamieson received first-round byes in qualifying play. In round two, Kedzierski captured a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Eastern Illinois' Sephora Boulbahaiem to give Illinois its first win of the day, while O'Connor followed up with a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Merritt Whitley (EIU). With the wins, the two Illini advanced to the third and final qualifying round.

Meanwhile, Jamieson came up short in a 6-1, 6-4 decision against Ohio State's Noelle Malley and will play in outdoor consolation action tomorrow if weather permits.

The Orange and Blue will take the court again tomorrow with the final singles qualifying round beginning at 9 a.m. CT. The main doubles draw will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and will feature Illini tandems Allison Falkin and Kedzierski, followed by Jamieson and O'Connor. Second-seeded Rachael White and Melissa Kopinski received a bye to the second round and will take the court at approximately 6:30 p.m.

"We are fired up and ready to go in our main draw of doubles," Dasso said. "The competition was great, and we're excited for more."

Illini Results
Misia Kedzierski (ILL) def. Sephora Boulbahaiem (EIU) 6-3, 6-4
Audrey O'Connor (ILL) def. Merritt Whitley (EIU) 7-6(5), 6-4
Noelle Malley (OSU) def. Julia Jamieson 6-1, 6-4