Women's Tennis Falls to Illinois

Feb. 24, 2013

NORMAN, Okla. - The No. 36 University of Oklahoma women's tennis team lost to No. 34 Illinois, 5-2, Sunday, Feb. 24, at Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, Ill.

"We fought hard today and had a number of opportunities that we just did not convert on." OU head coach David Mullins said.

OU's Hermon Brhane and Abbi Melrose captured the Sooners' points in singles. Brhane defeated Melissa Kopinski, 6-3, 7-6, and Melrose beat Misia Kedzierski, 6-2, 6-4.

Illinois' Audrey O' Connor clinched the victory with a 6-4, 7-6 win against Zita Engbroks at the No. 6 position.

Illinois won the first team point after Whitney Ritchie and Brhane lost their doubles match, 9-7, to Rachael White and Kopinski.

"This bye week could not have come at a better time." Mullins continued. "We have learned a lot this past month and it will serve us well as we head into Big 12 play."

Oklahoma returns to the court March 8 to open Big 12 Conference play against Kansas at 5 p.m.

"If we can stay healthy the second half of the season I know we are capable of some big wins." Mullins added.

Follow @OUWomensTennis on Twitter and like Oklahoma Women's Tennis on Facebook for more information on the women's tennis program.

No. 34 Illinois 5, No. 36 Oklahoma 2

Doubles

1. No. 21 Rachael White/Melissa Kopinski (ILL) def. No. 36 Hermon Brhane/Whitney Ritchie, 9-7
2. Breanna Smutko/Audrey O'Connor (ILL) def. Whitney Wofford/Zita Engbroks (OU), 8-3
3. Mia Lancaster/Abbi Melrose (OU) def. Misia Kedzierski/Allison Falkin (ILL), 8-6

Singles

1. No. 87 Hermon Brhane (OU) def. No. 106 Melissa Kopinski (ILL), 6-3, 7-6 (7-1)
2. No. 119 Allison Falkin (ILL) def. Whitney Ritchie (OU), 7-5, 6-2
3. Rachael White (ILL) def. Mia Lancaster (OU), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4
4. Abbi Melrose (OU) def. Misia Kedzierski (ILL), 6-2, 6-4
5. Breanna Smutko (ILL) def. Whitney Wofford (OU), 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
6. Audrey O'Connor (ILL) def. Zita Engbroks (OU), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)