No. 7 USC Downs Women's Tennis, 4-0, In First Round Of NCAA Tournament

May 13, 2005

Los Angeles, Calif.- The University of Illinois at Chicago women's tennis team was downed in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Tennis Championships on Friday afternoon, losing to seventh-ranked Southern California by a 4-0 count in front of USC's home fans at Marks Tennis Stadium in Los Angeles.

UIC finishes the season at 13-11 overall, while USC improves to 17-3 and moves on to face Arizona State, who downed San Diego State 4-0 earlier in the day, on May 14 at 1 p.m. at Marks Tennis Stadium.

The Flames faced a tough task, as the Women of Troy feature four singles players ranked in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings. UIC lost the doubles point and dropped three singles matches in the heart of their singles lineup.

Despite the loss, 2005 was still a banner season for the Flames as the team captured their ninth consecutive Horizon League Championship and seventh consecutive NCAA berth.

"I was really, really pleased with the season," said UIC Head Coach Shannon Tully. "The season was great. USC was a very gracious host. They were definitely at a top level."

"The girls did their best," said Tully of her team's valiant road effort against the tourney's seventh seed in a scorching and humid 80-degree environment. "It was a great way to end a great season, to be able to compete against a team at that top level. They did well."

Story Provided by John Jaramillo, UIC Sports Information