Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Wildcats Defeat Michigan in Regular-Season Finale, 6-1
4/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 20, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's tennis team closed out the regular season with a 6-1 win over Michigan Sunday afternoon at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center. The 'Cats dropped the doubles point, but notched wins at each of the singles spots for the victory. Northwestern moves to 16-8 on the season and 8-2 in the Big Ten. Michigan falls to 12-8 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
The Wildcats could only manage one doubles win, losing the doubles point as Michigan won at No. 2 and 3. Cristelle Grier and Jessica Rush, ranked eighth in the nation, defeated Michelle DaCosta and Leanne Rutherford at No. 1 for NU's only win.
NU rallied in singles, winning in straight sets at No. 2 through No. 5. The 'Cats used comebacks at No. 1 and No. 6 to claim all six matches. Rush defeated Chrissie Nolan 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2. Jamie Peisel, playing at No. 3, downed Rutherfod 6-2, 6-0. Andrea Yung was the 6-2, 6-3 winner over Kavitha Tipirneri at No. 4. Ruth Barnes rounded out the straight-set victories with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Kim Plaushines at No. 5. Grier's perfect record was put on the line as she dropped the second set at No. 1 to force a third. Grier rallied, allowing Michigan's DaCosta only one game to win the match 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. Stacy Kokx came from behind at No. 6 and won a tiebreaker in the third set to defeat Debra Streifler 5-7, 6-2, 10-6.
Northwestern will be back in action on Thursday, April 24 at the Big Ten Championship. This year's host is Illinois. Seeding and match schedule will be available on Monday.
No. 23 Northwestern vs. Michigan
NU 6, U-M 1
SINGLES
No. 1 #6 Cristelle Grier (NU) def. Michelle DaCosta (U-M) 6-0, 4-6, 6-1
No. 2 #62 Jessica Rush (NU) def. Chrissie Nolan (U-M) 6-1, 6-1
No. 3 Jamie Peisel (NU) def. Leanne Rutherford (U-M) 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 #104 Andrea Yung (NU) def. Kavitha Tipirneri (U-M) 6-2, 6-3
No. 5 Ruth Barnes (NU) def. Kim Plaushines (U-M) 6-0, 6-1
No. 6 Stacy Kokx (NU) def. Debra Streifler (U-M) 5-7, 6-2, 10-6
DOUBLES
No. 1 #8 Grier/Rush (NU) def. DaCosta/Rutherford (U-M) 8-2
No. 2 Nolan/Streifler (U-M) def. Peisel/Yung (NU) 8-3
No. 3 Plaushines/Joanne Musgrove (U-M) def. Barnes/Connie Chiang (NU) 9-7
Players Mentioned
