March 13, 2001
The 12th-ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team journeyed to Malibu, Calif. for the second of its three-match West Coast swing. The 10th-ranked Pepperdine Waves proved to be inhospitable hosts as they moved their winning streak to four matches with a 4-3 victory over Illinois Tuesday afternoon.
Juniors Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder posted an 8-6 victory at No. 3 doubles, but neither the No. 2 duo of Jamal Parker and Michael Calkins nor the usually reliable No. 1 tandem of Graydon Oliver and Amer Delic (the third-ranked pair in the nation) could muster what would ultimately prove to be a decisive win this afternoon.
In singles, the No. 3, 4 and 5 spots were productive for the Fighting Illini for the second match in a row. Delic, Kosta and Calkins were victorious, just as they had been at Fresno State Sunday afternoon, and Oliver, Phil Stolt and Zeder struggled once again.
"This was a tough match," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "We were not playing an easy opponent today, but, on the other hand, we didn't make it easy on ourselves, either. We got off to a slow start in doubles, and Pepperdine played very well against us today. They did it when they had to.
"Still, this is a good trip for us," Tiley continued. "We haven't yet had a match where all of our players have played well, but we're making progress against some very good teams. "I'm confident that we'll be more consistent as the season moves along."
Illinois completes its spring break tour of California with a match Thursday afternoon at Southern Cal in LosAngeles.
Today's Illinois Results:
Singles
1. Al Garland (PEP) def. Graydon Oliver (ILL) 7-6 (8), 6-0
2. Stefan Suter (PEP) def. Phil Stolt (ILL) 6-4, 6-3
3. Amer Delic (ILL) def. Sebastien Graeff (PEP) 6-1, 7-6 (3)
4. Mike Kosta (ILL) def. Calle Hansen (PEP) 7-6 (3), 6-3
5. Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Gerald Wiring (PEP) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (4)
6. Stave Racioppi (PEP) def. Nathan Zeder (ILL) 7-6 (2), 6-3
Doubles
1. Sebastien Graeff/Stefan Suter (PEP) def. Amer Delic/Graydon Oliver (ILL) 8-4
2. Chase Exon/Al Garland (PEP) def. Michael Calkins/Jamal Parker (ILL) 8-4
3. Mike Kosta/Nathan Zeder (ILL) def. Calle Hansen/Ryan Redondo (PEP) 8-6
