Jan. 26, 2001

The eighth-ranked University of Illinois men's tennis team did not drop a match in today's double header against DePaul and Western Michigan. Phil Stolt, Michael Calkins, and Jamal Parker all won two matches in a perfect day by the Orange and Blue. The Illini won 6-0 over Western Michigan, and 5-0 over DePaul.

Illinois hosted Western Michigan at 1 p.m. The day started with tight doubles play. At No. 1, senior Graydon Oliver and freshman Stolt won 9-7 over WMU's Steve Pillon and Ryan Tomlinson. Then at No. 2, freshman Calkins and junior Parker pulled off a 9-8(2) victory over Fernando Garcia and Ravi Pathanjali to give Illinois the doubles point.

"Our doubles started a little shaky today in the (Western Michigan) match," said Stolt. "But then we regained our focus and came out firing in singles."

And fire they did. Oliver ousted Garcia 7-5, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, while Stolt dispatched Pillon 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2. Junior Mike Kosta swatted Christian Brattstrom 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3, and in the No. 4 position, Calkins posted an easy 6-4, 6-2 score over Tomlinson. Parker finished the rout with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Ryan Maarschalk at No. 6.

"Once we found our zone, we knew we were fine," said Parker. "Everyone was ready to go today because we knew it would be long with two meets. Today was a test for our endurance, our energy, and for our heart."

"Craig emphasized to us between the matches that we need to come out ready to play in against DePaul," said Stolt. "We wouldn't go home happy if we had a loss at the end of the day, so we stepped it up a notch and performed."

After blitzing WMU 6-0, the Illini prepared themselves for No. 64 DePaul. The Orange and Blue played stellar doubles, dropping just eight games in all three matches. Stolt and Oliver downed Jevgenij Cariov 8-4 at No. 1, while Parker and Calkins handily defeated Maciek Joswiak and Robert Kurek 8-2 at No. 2. Junior Nathan Zeder paired with Kosta at No. 3, winning 8-2 over Andy Michael and Dan Bennett.

"Our doubles was very strong in the second match," said Calkins. "I think today we made a statement by coming out and sweeping both teams. We had great intensity, which is what we need to be successful."

In singles, the Illini once again dominated. Stolt quickly dispatched Joswiak 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2, and fellow freshman Calkins followed his lead, swatting Andy Michael 6-1, 6-1. Zeder was strong over Dan Bennett, posting a 6-2, 6-0 score, and Parker won 6-3, 6-1 over Sanjay Jeram at the No. 6 spot.

"It was a long day," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "Our guys had to play four matches. We were a little concerned, because we have some injuries. Our guys are competitors, they're winners. When we presented them with a challenge, they stepped up. And that's why they're going to have a very successful season."

The next home meet for the Illini is on February 9 at 5:30 p.m. against Kentucky.