University of Illinois
Kentucky
Kentucky No Match for Illinois; Illini Win 4-2
April 2, 2008 | Men's Tennis
April 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The No. 17 Illinois men's tennis team didn't take long to return to their winning ways as they downed the University of Kentucky today on the road in Lexington, 4-2, in a battle of cross-conference foes at the Boone Tennis Complex. The Illini (11-6, 3-1 Big Ten) have yet to lose back-to-back matches all season long, and kept that fact true as they handed the Wildcats (10-11, 3-5 SEC) their second straight loss to a top-20 opponent behind the efforts of senior Ruben Gonzales, who led the way by clinching the match at No. 1 singles.
"We looked at mixing the doubles teams up a bit today and will continue to look at those lineups, but it got the job done as we won the doubles point and eventually the match," head coach Brad Dancer said. "I think recognition should go to Ruben, who did a great job at No.1 singles, which turned out to be the clinching match for us today. Now we can look forward to another huge Big Ten weekend where we host Michigan and Penn State."
Today's match against Kentucky marked the fourth SEC opponent Illinois has faced this season, and brings their mark against the conference to 2-2 overall in 2008 and extended its win streak over Kentucky to three. The Illini previously took down LSU (6-1) in their other victory. Kentucky is 0-2 against the Big Ten.
In the win, Illinois captured the doubles point for the 13th time out of 17 matches, proving once again that the strength of Illinois comes out when its firing on all cylinders in doubles. Overall, Illinois is 11-2 when winning the point and is 0-4 when dropping the pivotal point.
Illinois now returns home for a change when it hosts Big Ten foes Penn State on Saturday, April 5, followed by No. 14 Michigan on Sunday, April 6. Both matches are scheduled for noon starts at the Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana, and should weather permit, will be played outdoors.
#17 University of Illinois 4, #37 University of Kentucky 2
4/2/08 Lexington, Ky. (Boone Tennis Complex)
Singles
1. #90 Ruben Gonzales (UI) def. #19 Bruno Agostinelli (UK) 7-6, 6-4
2. #12 Ryan Rowe (UI) def. Brad Cox (UK) 6-2, 7-6(6)
3. Marc Spicijaric (UI) tied Marcus Sundh (UK) 6-2, 4-6, susp.
4. #94 Billy Heiser (UI) def. Will Beck (UK) 1-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Alberto Gonzalez (UK) def. Waylon Chin (UI) 7-5, 6-1
6. Alex Lambropoulos (UK) def. Abe Souza (UI) 7-5, 6-4
Doubles
1. #29 Billy Heiser / Ryan Rowe (UI) def. Bruno Agostinelli / Brad Cox (UK) 8-6
2. Marc Spicijaric / Ruben Gonzales (UI) def. Will Beck / Shane Collins (UK) 8-3
3. Waylon Chin / Brandon Davis (UI) def. Alex Lambropoulos / Marcus Sundh (UK) 4-5, default
Match Notes
University of Illinois 11-6, 3-1 Big Ten, National Ranking - 17
University of Kentucky 10-11, 3-2 SEC, National Ranking - 37
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3) Singles (5, 6, 2, 4, 1, 3)
