UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -The Fighting Illini men's tennis team fell 4-3 to Penn State Friday afternoon, snapping its nine-match winning streak. Illinois moves to 17-8 overall and 8-2 in the Big Ten.
"Credit to Penn State. They beat us down the stretch in matches where we felt we had momentum early in the third sets," head coach Brad Dancer said. "It's a tough loss for us to swallow, but at the same time our attention turns to Sunday and our meeting in Columbus. Anytime you have a loss like this it brings forth a time to reflect. As coaches, we need to do a better job of getting our guys who are fighting hard better prepared."
The Orange and Blue lost the doubles point for just the second time in the last 11 contests. Despite a victory from Jared Hiltzik and Pengxuan Jiang at No. 1 doubles, the Nittany Lions won on courts two and three to take the early lead.
Illinois responded early in singles with quick wins from the top of its lineup. No. 13 Jared Hiltzik evened the score at 1-1 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Leo Stakhoysky at No. 1 singles. No. 3 Aleks Vukic gave the Illini a 2-1 lead with a straight set (7-5, 6-1) win over Constant De La Bassetiere on court two. Vukic improved to 8-0 in league play.
The Nittany Lions evened the score at 2-2 with a victory on court six, as Alex Jesse fell 6-3, 6-2 to Marc Collado.
No. 65 Aron Hiltzik put the Illini up 3-2 with a straight set win on court three, defeating Matt Barry 7-6(2), 6-2. Aron improved his match winning streak to 10.
Penn State completed a comeback victory by claiming wins on courts four and five. Aws Laaribi topped Pengxuan Jiang 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5 singles.
The clincher came on court four, where Julian Childers suffered his first Big Ten loss of the season. Childers dropped his match to Thomas Hanzlik by the scores of 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
The Orange and Blue will look to rebound on Sunday in the final regular season match. UI will square off against No. 5 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, at 11 a.m. CT.
Penn State 4, No. 15 Illinois 3
Doubles:
1. Jared Hiltzik/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. David Kohan/Christian Lutschaunig (PSU), 6-2.
2. Leo Stakhovsky/Matt Barry (PSU) def. #90 Aleks Vukic/Aron Hiltzik (ILL), 6-3.
3. Aws Laaribi/Matt Galush (PSU) def. Julian Childers/Alex Jesse, 6-4.
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles:
1. #13 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Leo Stakhovsky (PSU), 6-2, 6-2.
2. #3 Alex Vukic (ILL) def. Constant De La Bassetiere (PSU), 7-5, 6-1.
3. #65 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Matt Barry (PSU) 7-6(2), 6-2.
4. Tomas Hanzlik (PSU) def. Julian Childers (ILL), 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
5. Aws Laaribi (PSU) def. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
6. Marc Collado (PSU) def. Alex Jesse (ILL), 6-3, 6-2.
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 3, 5, 4
