Jan. 23, 2010

MADISON, Wis - The UIC women's tennis team defeats Big Ten opponent Wisconsin in comeback fashion on Saturday morning at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium to give head coach Shannon Tully her first career win over a Big Ten opponent.

"This was most definitely the biggest win of my career so far," said Tully, "I am extremely proud of the way my team competed today."

The Flames took four of six possible points from the Badgers in singles play to earn the 4-3 victory.

Elena Antakova put UIC on the broad first defeating Kathleen Saltarelli in two sets (6-3, 6-2).

Mariya Kovaleva claimed the Flames second point by winning her match against Wisconsin's Aleksandra Markovic (6-1, 6-3).

Ilinca Cristescu tied the match up at three points apiece by sweeping Katya Mirnova in two sets (6-4, 6-3).

Zlatka Petrova brought the win home for UIC winning her match against Angela Chupa in a tiebreaker (6-4, 7-6 (4)).

"After a frustrating loss yesterday, we had a different mindset when we stepped on the court today," said Tully, "The determination on the part of Mariya, Ilinca, Zlatka, and Elena took us to another level."

The Flames will travel to Rockford, Ill. to face Northern Illinois on Saturday Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.

Singles
1. Mariya Kovaleva (UIC) def. Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) 6-1, 6-3
2. Ilinca Cristescu (UIC) def. Katya Mirnova (WIS) 6-4, 6-3
3. Zlatka Petrova (UIC) def. Angela Chupa (WIS) 6-4, 7-6 (4)
4. Hannah Berner (WIS) def. Kristen McPhillips (UIC) 6-1, 6-3
5. Elena Antakova (UIC) def. Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) 6-3, 6-2
6. Alaina Trgovich (WIS) def. Amy Jellish (UIC) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. Katya Mirnova/Alaina Trgovich (WIS) def. Mariya Kovaleva/Kristen McPhillips (UIC) 8-7 (7)
2. Angela Chupa/Aleksandra Markovic (WIS) def. Zlatka Petrova/Elena Antakova (UIC) 8-2
3. Hannah Berner/Kathleen Saltarelli (WIS) def. Amy Jellish/Jenna Reisch (UIC) 8-1

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,4,5,1,2,3)