Jan. 20, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - Coming off a rough fall season where the breaks just didn't fall her way, University of Illinois at Chicago senior Alyson Stalzer began the spring season with the breaks falling her way, picking up UIC's only victory of Saturday's match with Illinois.

The UIC women's tennis team was beaten 6-1 by the Illini, the nation's 29th-ranked team, but head coach Shannon Tully felt that positives were reaped from the Flames' trip down I-57.

"We were very focused down there and we really made them work for everything they got," Tully said.

Stalzer defeated Liz Fraker of Illinois 6-1, 7-5, and Tully was pleased with her effort.

"After a fall season where Alyson lost some tough matches, this was really nice for her," said Tully. "She has worked very hard and hopefully she can carry this through the season."

At No. 1 singles, UIC's Nicole Derouin competed well in her match against Jennifer McGaffigan, but was eventually edged 6-3, 6-4 by the Illinois sophomore.

"I think opening up with Illinois and really competing with them, this will set the tone for the season positively," concluded Tully.

The UIC women's tennis team will hit the courts again Monday, Jan. 21, at Marquette. Match-time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Milwaukee.

Results

Singles 1. Jennifer McGaffigan (ILL) def. Nicole Derouin (UIC) 6-3, 6-4

2. Cythya Goulet (ILL) def. Ayca Gumuscu (UIC) 6-4, 6-3

3. Tiffany Eklov (ILL) def. Britta Dohmann (UIC) 6-0, 6-2

4. Eva Choe (ILL) def. Zvjezdana Malesevic (UIC) 6-2, 6-3

6. Alyson Stalzer (UIC) def. Liz Fraker (ILL) 6-1, 7-5

Doubles 1. C. Goulet/K. Bommershine (ILL) def. N. Derouin/A. Gumuscu (UIC) 8-2

2. T. Eklov/E. Choe (ILL) def. Zvjezdana Malesevic/A. Stalzer (UIC) 8-4

3. J. McGaffigan/L. Fraker def. K. Liwanpo/B. Dohmann (UIC) 8-4