Feb. 18, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's team recorded the biggest upset of the 2000 USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships Friday, as the 18th-ranked Wildcats earned a 5-2 win over fifth-ranked Mississippi in Madison, Wis.
The 'Cats took an early lead by winning the doubles point, then pulled out all three of the match tie-breakers in singles. The championship event is utilizing a unique scoring system that plays 10-point tiebreakers instead of a third set if the players split the first two sets. Jennifer Lutgert's win over Irena Mihailova at No. 6 clinched the win.
Colleen Cheng defeated No. 18 Mira Radu, 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (10-3) and Lia Jackson defeated No. 42 Mariana Eberle, 6-3, 6-7, 1-0 (10-6). Freshman Marine Piriou defeated 42nd ranked Alesya Ignatieva in straight sets.
The 'Cats move to 6-1 on the season and will face No. 13 South Carolina Saturday at 9 a.m.
*MATCH RESULTS* Northwestern 5, Mississippi 2
DOUBLES
1. Cheng/Nasser (NU) def. Iv. Mihailova/Eberle (M) 8-5
2. Frey/ Ir. Mihailova (M) def. Jackson/Piriou (NU) 8-4
3. Duffy/Lutgert (NU) def. Radu/Ignatieva (M) 8-5**
** Clinched doubles point.
SINGLES
1. Ivona Mihailova (M) def. Katherine Nasser (NU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Celeste Frey (M) def. Shannon Duffy (NU) 6-2, 7-5
3. Colleen Cheng (NU) def. Mira Radu (M) 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (10-3)
4. Lia Jackson (NU) def. Mariana Eberle (M) 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 1-0 (10-6)
5. Marine Piriou (NU) def. Alesya Ignatieva (M) 6-2, 6-4
6. Jennifer Lutgert (NU) def. Irena Mihailova (M) 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 1-0 (10-6)*
* Clinched match