Nov. 7, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Irish doubles teams went undefeated and Notre Dame notched three singles victories on the first day of play at the Midwest Blast hosted by Illinois Friday.

The Irish took on Wichita State in their first doubles matches of the day.

Juniors Cosmina Ciobanu and Kali Krisik defeated Anna Egorova and Luftiana Budiharto, 8-6. Freshman Shannon Mathews and junior Colleen Rielley knocked off Stephanie Dalmacio and Laryssa Ferreira, 8-3, and senior Katie Potts and sophomore Kristen Rafael defeated Florentina Hanisch and Lenore Lazarolla, 8-2.

In their second doubles match, Notre Dame took on Denver, compiling a 3-0 record.

Ciobanu and Krisik downed 27th-ranked Mallory Voekler and Julia Bauregger, 8-3. Mathews and Rafael defeated Kyla Iwinski and Ute Schnoy, 9-7, while Potts and Rielley knocked off Annette Aksdal and Bhavani Tirumurti, 8-2.

The Irish went 3-3 against host-team Illinois in singles matches Friday.

No. 104 Rielley defeated Marisa Lambropoulos, 6-2, 6-4. Rafael knocked off Chelcie Abajian, 6-2, 6-4, and No. 98 Krisik downed Shivani Dave, 6-1, 6-3. Leigh Finnegan defeated No. 78 Ciobanu, 6-4, 6-2. Megan Fudge handed Mathews a 6-4, 7-6 (6) loss, while Potts dropped her match to Amy Allin, 3-6, 2-6.

The Irish will continue play at the Midwest Blast on Saturday.