University of Illinois
Fresno State
Illini Conclude Weekend with Win Over Fresno State
February 14, 2010 | Men's Tennis
Feb. 14, 2010
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Illini men's tennis team ended its stay at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Indoor Championships on a high note, defeating Fresno State 4-2 Sunday afternoon at the Boar's Head Sports Club. With the win, Illinois improves to 4-4, while the Bulldogs fall to 7-4. Junior Abe Souza highlighted the day with his 10th straight victory and team-leading 16th overall.
"Abe has really been focusing on the right things," head coach Brad Dancer said. "He's always improving his game and just has great clarity right now. He played some of his worst tennis against Kentucky a couple matches ago, but he didn't let it affect him, which is similar to the way (former Illini) Ryler DeHeart played. Abe was able to bounce right back through his determination and efficiency in tough circumstances."
Despite falling behind after doubles, the Illini responded with consecutive straight-set victories, as senior Marek Czerwinski cruised past Rikus DeVilliers, 6-1, 6-2, and Souza topped No. 83 David Ayoun, 6-0, 6-3 to improve to 3-2 over nationally ranked opponents this season. Freshman Stephen Hoh fell to Remi Boutillier, 6-4, 6-2 to even the score at two apiece, before No. 43 Dennis Nevolo finished off Mirko Zapletal, 7-5, 6-1, and junior Johnny Hamui clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Tejesvi Veerepalli.
"Overall, I'm really happy and proud of the way we bounced back," Dancer said. "Marek and Abe have been great leaders and it's an added bonus that it shows through in their results. Dennis and Johnny have struggled a bit, but they haven't let it affect their attitudes and were able to come up big for us today."
The Illini will have a weekend off before returning to action Sunday, Feb. 28 at No. 12 Florida at Noon CT.
Match Results
#13 Illinois 4, #30 Fresno State 2
Singles competition
1. #43 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Mirko Zapletal (FSU) 7-5, 6-1
2. Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Tejesvi Veerepalli (FSU) 6-4, 6-3
3. Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. Rikus DeVilliers (FSU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Remi Boutillier (FSU) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 6-4, 6-2
5. Abe Souza (ILL) def. #83 David Ayoun (FSU) 6-0, 6-3
6. Connor Roth (ILL) vs. Siddharth Alapati (FSU) 4-6, 6-2, 0-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #36 Remi Boutillier/Rikus DeVilliers (FSU) def. Dennis Nevolo/Johnny Hamui (ILL) 8-5
2. Marek Czerwinski/Stephen Hoh (ILL) vs. #20 Taylor Leiby/Mirko Zapletal (FSU) 6-1, unfinished
3. Siddharth Alapati/Tejesvi Veerepalli (FSU) def. Connor Roth/Abe Souza (ILL) 8-4
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,5,4,1,2)
