Box Score

INDIANAPOLIS -- Despite some strong play in doubles, the Detroit women's tennis team was eliminated from championship play on Friday as the Titans were downed by top-seeded UIC, 4-0, at the Horizon League Championship.

"We were able to stick with our plan and have a good start putting pressure on them," said interim head coach Pjotrs Necajevs. "The girls fought unbelievable and were able to play smart tennis."

The match marked the fifth-straight year that Detroit (5-18, 4-4 HL) had advanced to the semifinals of the league tournament.

Detroit started the day by nearly taking the doubles point from the Flames. At No. 1, junior Amanda Cornwell (Waterford, MI/Kettering) and sophomore Carolina Salas Espinosa (Monterrey, Mexico/Preparatoria No. 7) were able to post an impressive 8-6 victory. The Titans looked like they were in position to win at No. 2 as well, but freshmen Raina Halabi (Beamsville, ON/Niagara Academy of Tennis) and Elena Strakhova (Penza, Russia/#216 "Didakt") just came up short, 8-6, while UDM fell at No. 3, 8-1.

The Titans then provided some spirited play in singles battling the HL power Flames for over four hours as Espinosa (No. 2), Strakhova (No. 3) and Halabi (No. 5) all forced a third set, but UIC (17-4, 8-0 HL) was able to secure the other three matches to pull out the win.

"Coach (Grant) Asher helped us a lot this weekend. I can't say enough of how proud I was of the team today. We are improving and getting better," added Necajevs.

The Titans will still have one more match left in their season as the red, white and blue face Butler for third place tomorrow, with the match scheduled for 9:00 a.m., at North Central High School.