April 14, 2002

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's Big Ten win streak stretched to 23 with a 6-1 win over Minnesota today at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center. The 18th-ranked 'Cats improved to 16-5 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten. Minnesota fell to 6-14, 1-8.

In doubles, the Wildcats took two of the three matches for the early lead. The Gophers were outmatched in singles, as NU claimed five of the six matches in straight sets for the victory. Senior Simona Petrutiu was the first 'Cat off the court, upending UM's Brandi Watts, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4. Sophomore Ruth Barnes shut down Jennifer Howard at No. 6, 6-1, 6-1, to give NU its third point of the match. Sophomore Jessica Rush clinched the match for Northwestern with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kelly Perry. Minnesota's lone victory came at No. 1 where Valerie Vladea downed No. 25 Marine Piriou (6-4, 6-1).

Northwestern returns to action next weekend to close the 2002 regular season. The 'Cats travel east to take on Penn State on Saturday (4/20) and Ohio State on Sunday (4/21). Both matches are scheduled to start at noon.

#18 Northwestern vs. #73 Minnesota

NU 6, UM 1

SINGLES
No. 1 Valerie Vladea (UM) def. #25 Marine Piriou (NU), 6-4, 6-1
No. 2 Lia Jackson (NU) def. Andrea Rose (UM), 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 #67 Jessica Rush (NU) def. Kelly Perry (UM), 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 Simona Petrutiu (NU) def. Brandi Watts (UM), 6-0, 6-1
No. 5 Andrea Yung (NU) def. Kandis Batiste (UM), 6-2, 6-1
No. 6 Ruth Barnes (NU) def. Jennifer Howard (UM), 6-1, 6-1

DOUBLES
No. 1 Michaela Havelkova/Vladea (UM) def. #22 Jackson/Petrutiu (NU), 8-5
No. 2 #35 Piriou/Rush (NU) def. Watts/Howard (UM), 8-3
No. 3 Yung/Barnes (NU) def. Perry/Rose (UM), 8-3

RECORDS
Northwestern: 16-5, 8-0
Minnesota: 6-14, 1-8

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