University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
University of Illinois
Players Mentioned
Minnesota Falls 4-0 in B1G Quarterfinals
4/26/2019 5:07:00 PM | Tennis
The University of Minnesota 2018-19 season came to an end in the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament in Lincoln, Neb. In a revenge match from the regular season, the #6 Gophers fell in a 4-0 outing to the #3 Illinois Fighting Illini. Minnesota finalizes their year with a 14-11, 6-5 B1G record.
"Today was not the way we wanted to go out and finish this spring but there were a lot of positives this season and these girls have a lot to be proud of this year," head coach Catrina Thompson said. "Credit to Illinois who came out and made us earn every point. We started off and had chances in doubles at multiple spots but didn't capitalize. There are some things we need to continue to improve and clean up in order to be back stronger next season."
Doubles
The Gophers came out of the gates strong in doubles play before a late surge by Illinois landed the Fighting Illini the doubles point. The No. 2 duo of Tina Kreinis and Cammy Frei fell in a 6-2 heartbreaker to the Switkes/Belaya pairing. Looking to force a third match decider, the Gophers top tandem of Caitlyn Merzbacher and Tiffany Huber fought tooth and nail before falling in a 6-4 battle to secure the doubles point for the opposing team. The No. 3 combination of Bita Mancera and River Hart left their match unfinished with a 5-4 lead.
Singles
Illinois claimed all six first sets against the Gophers to jump out with an early advantage. Despite a strong showing by the Maroon and Gold it the latter half of the dual, Illinois walked away with the team clinch after wins from the No. 1, 3, and 6 slots.
"In singles we dug ourselves into a bit of a hole to start at most spots, but then we started to get settled and fight back," Thompson added. " That is one of the most defining qualities of this team--the way they compete and fight. We had a lot of heart today, but unfortunately we fell just short. Very proud to coach these four seniors and this group of young women."
The Future
In her first two years leading the Maroon and Gold, Thompson has had back-to-back record-setting seasons as head coach with the most home wins in Baseline Tennis Center history and tying the fewest amount of losses allowed on home court in a season with one. Although the Gophers are graduating nearly half of their roster, the team will remain young as they bring in a strong recruiting class in addition to current roster talent.
#6 Minnesota , #3 Illinois
Doubles
Pedraza/Duong (ILL) def. Merzbacher/Huber (MINN) 6-4
Switkes/Belaya (ILL) def. Kreinis/Frei (MINN) 6-2
Mancera/Hart (MINN) vs. Kawai/Rabinowitz (ILL) 5-4, unfinished
Singles
#44 Kawai (ILL) def. Kreinis (MINN) 6-1, 6-3
Huber (MINN) vs. Rabinowitz (ILL) 3-6, 6-2, unfinished
Belaya (ILL) def. Mancera (MINN) 6-3, 6-4
Frei (MINN) vs. Swtikes (ILL) 2-6, 5-5, unfinished
Merzbacher (MINN) vs. Duong (ILL) 6-7, 1-0 unfinished
Pedraza Novak (ILL) def. Vargas (MINN) 6-1, 6-3
Match Notes
Minnesota: 14-11, 6-6 B1G
Illinois: 15-10, 9-3 B1G
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,1,3)