University of Illinois
Tennessee
Illini Fall in Sweet 16 to Tennessee
February 12, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 12, 2010
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - With the return of their top-ranked player Friday afternoon, fifth-seeded Tennessee proved to be too much for the 12th-seeded Illini, who fell 4-0 to the Volunteers in the Sweet 16 of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Indoor Championships hosted by the University of Virginia. Illinois drops to 3-3 on the year, while Tennessee improves to 8-0.
"Tennessee is a very good team," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We knew that coming into the match, so it was important for us not to be intimidated. Unfortunately, we got off to a slow start at No. 2 doubles and I think that put some pressure on the others. In singles, Abe and Johnny were right there in the first sets, but we just couldn't catch a break. Those could have been momentum turners. Connor started to show a little inexperience in match play, but we believe he has the skills to compete, so we just need to keep getting him matches to improve his maturity in difficult situations. Overall, I think we fought well and put up a good effort. Now we just need to capitalize and execute when we get the opportunities."
The Illini put up a fight in doubles play, as junior Johnny Hamui and sophomore Dennis Nevolo evened the score at six apiece against No. 7 John-Patrick Smith and Davey Sandgren, before the Volunteers clinched the point with an 8-6 victory. Juniors Abe Souza and Connor Roth were tied at seven apiece with Tennys Sandgren and Matteo Fago, but the match was left unfinished once Tennessee secured the 1-0 advantage.
No. 43 Nevolo battled to the end against No. 2 Smith, who was playing in his first match since being sidelined due to illness, but the three-setter ended in Tennessee's favor, as Smith held on for the 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory. Hamui fell to No. 68 Boris Conkic, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, and Roth was topped by Matteo Fago, 6-2, 7-5. The remaining three matches were left unfinished.
The Illini will play two more matches in the consolation round, beginning tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT against the loser of No. 4 UCLA and No. 13 Kentucky. Live scoring is available for all matches HERE.
Match Results
#4 Tennessee 4, #13 Illinois 0
Singles competition
1. #2 John-Patrick Smith (UT) def. #43 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2. #68 Boris Conkic (UT) def. Johnny Hamui (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
3. #22 Rhyne Williams (UT) vs. Marek Czerwinski (ILL) 6-2, 4-6, 4-3, unfinished
4. Tennys Sandgren (UT) vs. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 6-7 (4-7), 5-5, unfinished
5. #52 Matt Brewer (UT) vs. Abe Souza (ILL) 6-4, 4-6, 4-4, unfinished
6. Matteo Fago (UT) def. Connor Roth (ILL) 6-2, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. #7 John-Patrick Smith/Davey Sandgren (UT) def. Dennis Nevolo/Johnny Hamui (ILL) 8-6
2. #12 Rhyne Williams/Boris Conkic (UT) def. Marek Czerwinski/Stephen Hoh (ILL) 8-2
3. Tennys Sandgren/Matteo Fago (UT) vs. Connor Roth/Abe Souza (ILL) 7-7, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (6,2,1)
