Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Tennis Defeats Illinois in NCAA Regional Championships
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
May 15, 1999
TEMPE, Ariz. -- For the second time this season, the Northwestern Wildcats defeated the University of Illinois, this time with a 5-2 victory in the first round of the NCAA Regional Championships being held at Arizona State University's Whiteman Tennis Center. On May 1, the 'Cats got past the Fighting Illinois (4-1) in the Big Ten semifinals and then defeated Wisconsin for the conference title.
Today's win improves Northwestern's season record to 19-4. It marks the most number of wins since the 1987 team finished with a 22-4 record. It was also NU's 12th-straight victory. The 'Cats have won 13 of their last 14 dual matches.
All six NU singles players got victories in their first sets. The Illini came back to take the second sets at No.'s 1, 2, 4, and 6. Sophomore Shannon Duffy (Plano, Texas/Plano) got the first point for NU. She defeated Brooke Ferney (6-3, 6-2) at the No. 3 position. Freshman Lia Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) was the second Wildcat to finish her singles match. She knocked off Megan Wise (6-4, 6-0) at the No. 5 spot.
At No. 2 singles, senior Laura Guignon (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's) defeated Stacy Schapiro for the first time in three tries this season. Guignon took the first set (6-3), but dropped the second (0-6). She came up with some crafty shots in the third set and captured the match with a 6-4 score. All three matches between the two players went to three sets this season.
Junior Jennifer Lutgert (Evergreen, Colo./Nebraska) also pulled out a tough three-setter. She beat Natalia Manasova (6-1, 4-6, 6-2) for her 12th-straight singles victory of the season. It is the longest winning streak for any Wildcat this year. She improves to 29-5 on the season.
Guignon and Nasser clinched the first round win with an 8-1 victory at No. 1 doubles. The duo, ranked No. 14 in the country, improved its dual record to 17-6.
Illinois finished its season with a 13-11 overall mark.
Northwestern takes on either Arizona State or Northern Arizona tomorrow (Sun., May 16) at noon CT. Arizona State is the No. 11 seed in this year's NCAA Tournament. The winner of tomorrow's match earns a berth into the NCAA Sweet 16 being held at the University of Florida on May 20-23.
Singles
1. Simone Kung (IL) def. Katherine Nasser (NU) 0-6, 6-3, 6-1 2. Laura Guignon (NU) def. Stacy Schapiro (IL) 6-3, 0-6, 6-4 3. Shannon Duffy (NU) def. Brooke Ferney (IL) 6-3, 6-2 4. Carla Rosenberg (IL) def. Colleen Cheng (NU) 3-6, 7-5, 6-1 5. Lia Jackson (NU) def. Megan Wise (IL) 6-4, 6-0 6. Jennifer Lutgert (NU) def. Natalia Manasova (IL) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Doubles
1. Nasser/Guignon (NU) def. Rosenberg/Ferney (IL) 8-1
