Oct. 26, 2000
The Fighting Illini seek to stake their claim as one of the top tennis teams in the region as they compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Regional Championships this weekend in Madison, Wis.
Illinois has four entries in the 48-team doubles competition, and all four have received first-round byes, since they are among the 16 duos selected as seeds. They will begin competing in the round of 32. Senior Graydon Oliver and freshman Amer Delic were seeded No. 2, freshmen Phil Stolt and Brian Wilson picked up the No. 4 seed, junior Jamal Parker and freshman Michael Calkins, ranked No. 31 nationally in the preseason, were seeded seventh, and juniors Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder were awarded the No. 8 seed.
Six Illini players will compete in the 96-man singles draw, five of whom have been seeded and will have first-round byes. They will start out in the round of 64. Oliver, ranked No. 72 nationally in the preseason, is seeded No. 3, Delic is No. 6, Stolt is listed at No. 15, Kosta is the 18th seed, and Wilson is at No. 21. Junior Nathan Zeder, unseeded, will take on Anthony Jackson of Michigan in first-round action.
"In the past, we have done very well at the regional championships," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "Even though we have quite a few players seeded in both singles and doubles, the competition in the region is as strong as it's ever been. Everyone is playing particularly well right now, so we're hoping for some great results this weekend."
Last year, Illinois had the top two seeds in doubles, Cary Franklin/Graydon Oliver and Jeff Laski/Jamal Parker, and Laski and Parker won the tournament. In doubles, six UI players competed, and Oliver (the No. 9 seed) survived the longest of them, reaching the round of 16.
The tournament runs Friday through Sunday on the University of Wisconsin campus.
Although some Illinois players could qualify as amateurs for the USTA Challenger pro event at Atkins Tennis Center Nov. 27-Dec. 3, the ITA Regional represents the final competition for the team this fall, and thus is a key to solidifying rankings for the spring season which begins in January.
"This the most important event for us this fall, since it will indicate where are players are individually and where we are as a team in the context of our region. But regardless of how we do, we'll use the results to help us prepare for a spring season that we hope will bring us great success," Tiley said.
