No. 1 Seed Northwestern Advances To Second Round Of NCAA Championships

May 9, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Top-ranked Northwestern advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships after a 4-0 victory over Illinois-Chicago Friday. The Wildcats will face Big Ten foe Indiana in a second-round match at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center at noon Saturday.

The 'Cats took a 1-0 advantage over the UIC Flames after sweeping the doubles point. At No. 2, Samantha Murray (Altrincham, England, Altrincham Grammar) and Suzie Matzenauer (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine) cruised to an 8-0 victory over Amy Jellish and Jamie Reisch.

A short time later, Lauren Lui (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) and Georgia Rose (Mettawa, Ill./North Shore Country Day) wrapped up the doubles point with an 8-1 victory over Ilinca Cristescu and Kristen McPhilips. The nation's 19th-ranked duo improves to 14-0 in dual play this season. The match at No. 3 featuring Keri Robison (Decatur, Ill./Keystone National) and Maria Mosolova (Moscow, Russia/No. 204) was abandoned.

Northwestern carried its momentum into singles play. The Wildcats took a 2-0 match advantage when Mosolova swept Cristescu in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Fifth-ranked Mosolova improved to 36-4 overall this season. At No. 6, Matzenauer dominated in her 6-0, 6-1 win over Ulrikke von Ubisch, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 match advantage.

Northwestern clinched the match, 4-0, when Ghazal won in straight sets at No. 5, 6-1, 6-0. The win extends the Wildcats' winning streak to 21 and advances the 'Cats to Saturday's second-round match.

Indiana advances to face the 'Cats in the second round after a 4-3 victory over Louisville that was decided in the third set of the final singles match Friday. Saturday's regional final will mark the second meeting between the Wildcats and Hoosiers this season.

No. 1-seeded Northwestern defeated Indiana, 6-1, in a dual regular season match on April 6 in Evanston. The Wildcats have won a team record 21-straight matches, including 63-consecutive against Big Ten opponents dating to 2004.

The NCAA Championship regional first and second rounds are being held at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center, May 9-10, in Evanston. The Combe Indoor Tennis Center is serving as the tournament's inclement weather site.

The team that advances beyond the regional round will compete for a team national title, May 15-20 at the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla. Northwestern is just five wins away from a national championship. For more information on Saturday's regional final, including live stats, results and other tournament information, please visit the NCAA regional championship website.

Singles competition

1. Maria Mosolova (NU) def. Ilinca Cristescu (UIC) 6-0, 6-0
2. Georgia Rose (NU) vs. Kristen McPhillips (UIC) 6-0, 4-1, unfinished
3. Samantha Murray (NU) vs. Grace Gill-Morlis (UIC) 6-0, 5-1, unfinished
4. Lauren Lui (NU) vs. Amy Jellish (UIC) 6-2, 0-1, unfinished
5. Nazlie Ghazal (NU) def. Jenna Reisch (UIC) 6-1, 6-0
6. Suzie Matzenauer (NU) def. Ulrikke Von Ubisch (UIC) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Georgia Rose/Lauren Lui (NU) def. Ilinca Cristescu/Kristen McPhillips (UIC) 8-1
2. Samantha Murray/Suzie Matzenauer (NU) def. Grace Gill-Morlis/Ulrikke Von Ubisch (UIC) 8-0
3. Maria Mosolova/Keri Robison (NU) vs. Amy Jellish/Jamie Reisch (UIC) 5-3, unfinished

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (1,6,5)
NCAA Regional First Round
A-118