University of Illinois
Iowa
Men's Tennis Captures Regular Season Big Ten Crown
April 22, 2000 | Men's Tennis
April 22, 2000
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Illinois men's tennis team claimed the Big Ten Conference regular season title in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon.
Illinois, now 18-3 and 9-0, downed the Iowa Hawkeyes 7-0 to take its third straight regular season crown. Trying for their fourth consecutive Big Ten title, the Illini also sewed up the No. 1 seed at the conference championship, which will held April 27-30 in Bloomington, Ind.
The Illini started the match by taking two out of three doubles. At No. 1, senior Jeff Laski and sophomore Jamal Parker defeated Tyler Cleveland and Stewart Waters 8-3. Senior Cary Franklin and junior Graydon Oliver won 8-6 over J.R. Chidley and Eric Kozlowski at No. 2. Senior Matt Snyder and sophomore Mike Kosta lost 9-7 against Jake Wilson and Pete Rose at No. 3.
In singles, Illinois won five of the six matches in straight sets. At No. 1, Franklin downed Cleveland 6-4, 6-0 and Laski went 6-3, 6-3 over Wilson at No. 2. Oliver collected the 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 against Waters, and at No. 4, Parker outdistanced Peter Mandik 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. Kosta defeated Chidley 6-1, 6-1 at No. 5 and Snyder won 6-4, 6-4 over Kozolowski at No. 6.
"The guys put in a great effort, and the one through six positions played awesome and aggressive tennis," Head coach Craig Tiley said. "We will continue to work tomorrow at Wisconsin, and we look forward to the Big Ten Championships next weekend."
Illinois concludes the regular season on Sunday at Wisconsin. The match is scheduled for noon.
Illinois 7, Iowa 0
Illinois is listed first
1. Cary Franklin d. Tyler Cleveland 6-4, 6-0
2. Jeff Laski d. Jake Wilson 6-3, 6-3
3. Graydon Oliver d. Stewart Waters 6-4, 6-4
4. Jamal Parker d. Peter Mandik 6-3, 3-6, 6-0
5. Mike Kosta d. J.R. Chidley 6-1, 6-1
6. Matt Snyder d. Eric Kozlowski 6-4, 6-4
1. Laski/Parker d. Cleveland/Waters 8-3
2. Franklin/Oliver d. Chidley/Kozlowski 8-6
3. Snyder/Kosta lost to Wilson/Rose 9-7
