URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team garnered a 5-2 victory over Notre Dame Friday night inside Atkins Tennis Center. The victory marks Illinois' fourth win at home and second against the Irish in the dual season. No. 12 Illinois moves to 5-1 on the dual season.
"Again, always great to get a win over a program like Notre Dame," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Aleks Vukic was really incredible against Quentin Monaghan, who is one of the great players in the NCAA. Vukic was dialed in, and I think he's had some slow starts this dual match season, but he showed tonight what we know he is capable of playing at."
The Orange and Blue improved to 5-1 in doubles this season, garnering the point over the Irish tonight with wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 position. Julian Childers and Pengxuan Jiang improved to 4-0 on the season at No. 3 doubles with a win tonight over Hagar/Kempin, 6-3. Aron Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic also garnered a victory, defeating Broadus/Monaghan by the score of 6-2.
The top of the lineup proved to be strong again for the Illini. Aleks Vukic improved to 5-0 on the season with a straight set victory at No. 1 singles. Vukic cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 win over No. 37 Quentin Monaghan. No. 21 Jared Hiltzik followed with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Alex Lawson at No. 2 singles. Jared improved his record to 4-0 this season.
Illinois also garnered singles wins from No. 41 Aron Hiltzik and No. 67 Julian Childers. Aron took out Eddy Covalschi 6-4, 6-2 at the No. 3 position. Childers secured a straight set (6-4, 6-3) victory over Eric Schnurrenberger on court four.
Notre Dame garnered victories on courts five and six.
Up next, the Fighting Illini will travel to Charlottesville, Virginia, to compete in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. National Indoor competition will begin on Feb. 12, and conclude on Feb. 15. Illinois will compete in the 16-team field for the third time in the last five years.
#12 Illinois 5, Notre Dame 2
Singles competition
1. Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. #37 Quentin Monaghan (ND) 6-0, 6-0
2. #21 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Alex Lawson (ND) 6-1, 6-4
3. #41 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Eddy Covalschi (ND) 6-4, 6-2
4. #67 Julian Childers (ILL) def. Eric Schnurrenberger (ND) 6-4, 6-3
5. Josh Hagar (ND) def. Alex Jesse (ILL) 6-2, 6-1
6. Grayson Broadus (ND) def. Asher Hirsch (ILL) 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 1-0 (10-8)
Doubles competition
1. Eddy Covalschi/Alex Lawson (ND) def. Jared Hiltzik/Alex Jesse (ILL) 6-1
2. Aleks Vukic/Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Grayson Broadus/Quentin Monaghan (ND) 6-2
3. Julian Childers/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Josh Hagar/Brendon Kempin (ND) 6-3
Match Notes:
Notre Dame 2-4
Illinois 5-1; National ranking #12
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,2,5,3,4,6)
