Friday, March 30
East Brunswick, NJ
12:30 PM
Rutgers University
1
vs
6
#11 Illinois
Jacobs Earns Singles Victory against No. 11 Illinois
Mar 30 | Women's Tennis
Scarlet Knights fall to the Fighting Illini, 6-1
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Freshman Maya Jacobs highlighted Rutgers tennis' matchup with No. 11 Illinois, securing her first Big Ten singles victory at the No. 5 spot. The Fighting Illini (15-2, 4-1), however, claimed the doubles point and the remaining five singles to top the Scarlet Knights (5-8, 0-4) on Friday afternoon at the East Brunswick Racquet Club.
"I'm very proud of Maya to get her first Big Ten singles win as a freshman. Illinois is a very tough team and they played well," said head coach Hilary Ritchie. "We have to take our little victories and continue. If we keep doing things the right way, then things will continue to happen."
Although Illinois opened the match with the advantage of the doubles point, Rutgers discovered energy in the singles matchups.
At the No. 5 spot, Jacobs did not let a 6-1 loss in her first set with the Fighting Illini's Emilee Duong faze her. The freshman rallied a 6-2 win in the second set before securing the victory with a 10-5 decision in the final stanza.
"It feels really good because we have had some really tough losses recently," said Jacobs. "The rebound in practice, getting back and working even harder has helped. I believe if you work harder you will finally get your results and this win is that payoff.
"Coming into this match, I believed in myself more, we all believed in ourselves more, and you could feel the energy was electric. Maybe we didn't get it this time, but we are going to get it the next time or time after that if we keep working the same way."
Sophomore Jaci Cochrane put up a fight of her own in a battle at the No. 4 spot with UofI's Sasha Belaya. Cochrane opened the bout with a 6-3 win in the first before Belaya evened the matchup with a 6-2 win in the next. In the final set, however, Cochrane fell short, 10-6, to be edged out.
UP NEXT
Rutgers travels to No. 9 Northwestern for a Sunday matchup set for 12 p.m. ET.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's tennis, follow the program on Facebook (RutgersTennis), Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersTennis). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
"I'm very proud of Maya to get her first Big Ten singles win as a freshman. Illinois is a very tough team and they played well," said head coach Hilary Ritchie. "We have to take our little victories and continue. If we keep doing things the right way, then things will continue to happen."
Although Illinois opened the match with the advantage of the doubles point, Rutgers discovered energy in the singles matchups.
At the No. 5 spot, Jacobs did not let a 6-1 loss in her first set with the Fighting Illini's Emilee Duong faze her. The freshman rallied a 6-2 win in the second set before securing the victory with a 10-5 decision in the final stanza.
"It feels really good because we have had some really tough losses recently," said Jacobs. "The rebound in practice, getting back and working even harder has helped. I believe if you work harder you will finally get your results and this win is that payoff.
"Coming into this match, I believed in myself more, we all believed in ourselves more, and you could feel the energy was electric. Maybe we didn't get it this time, but we are going to get it the next time or time after that if we keep working the same way."
Sophomore Jaci Cochrane put up a fight of her own in a battle at the No. 4 spot with UofI's Sasha Belaya. Cochrane opened the bout with a 6-3 win in the first before Belaya evened the matchup with a 6-2 win in the next. In the final set, however, Cochrane fell short, 10-6, to be edged out.
UP NEXT
Rutgers travels to No. 9 Northwestern for a Sunday matchup set for 12 p.m. ET.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (Rutgers Athletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers women's tennis, follow the program on Facebook (RutgersTennis), Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersTennis). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
- RU-
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3
#1 Singles Match
12
Jaclyn Switkes / 0 [ILL]
66
23
#2 Singles Match
12
Daniela Novak / 0 [ILL]
66
34
#3 Singles Match
12
Mia Rabinowitz / 0 [ILL]
66
02
#4 Singles Match
123
Sasha Belaya / 0 [ILL]
3610
626
#5 Singles Match
123
Emilee Duong / 0 [ILL]
625
1610
#6 Singles Match
12
Grace Tapak / 0 [ILL]
66
02
Order of Finish:
6,3,1,2,5,4
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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