March 25, 2001

Craig Tiley's Orange and Blue squad completed a perfect weekend at the Atkins Tennis Center today with a 7-0 win over Michigan State. Yesterday, the Illini garnered a 7-0 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.

Illinois started off strong in doubles. Junior Mike Kosta and freshman Michael Calkins sprinted to an 8-1 score over MSU's Adam Hourani and Mike Jonckheere at No. 2 doubles. In the No. 1 position, the Illini tandem of junior Jamal Parker and freshman Philip Stolt netted Eric Simonton and Mike Hodge, 8-3, and junior Nathan Zeder and freshman Amer Delic completed the Orange and Blue perfection with an 8-3 decision over Rodrigo Abucham and Jason Chen at No. 3 doubles.

"We came out strong in doubles," said Stolt. "We knew that we had to get up against them early and make a statement."

In singles, the Illini didn't drop a set. Zeder finished his match first, squashing Jonckheere, 6-1, 6-0 at No. 4. Stolt followed suit at No. 1, downing Hodge, 6-0, 6-2. Calkins blasted his way through Abucham at No. 3 with a 6-3, 6-0 decision, which clinched the match for the Illini. At No. 5, Parker defeated Josh Efros 6-4, 6-2, and was followed closely by Kosta at No. 2, who posted a 6-4, 6-2 score over MSU's Hourani. Ben Schreiber, in his 2001 conference debut, coasted to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Chen at No. 6.

"I thought we did what we had to do today," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "This weekend we came away with 7-0 wins over both Michigan and Michigan State, something which we've never done before. Michigan State was missing some players, and we were resting some guys, but we came out and played like we prepared."

Illinois is now 10-5 on the year, and 3-0 in the Big Ten. With this weekend's two wins, they also moved to 48 consecutive conference victories, one away from the Big Ten record (49 by Michigan). What does Tiley think about the streak?

"We're not counting. As a coach, my main concern is our process of getting better as a team."

Today's Illinois Scores:

Singles:
1. No. 70 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Mike Hodge (MSU)                   6-0, 6-2
2. Mike Kosta (ILL) def. Adam Hourani (MSU)                        6-4, 6-2
3. Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Rodrigo Abucham (MSU)                6-3, 6-0
4. Nathan Zeder (ILL) def. Mike Jonchheere (MSU)                   6-1, 6-0
5. Jamal Parker (ILL) def. Josh Efros (MSU)                        6-4, 6-2
6. Ben Schreiber (ILL) def. Jason Chen (MSU)                       6-4, 6-2

Doubles:
1. Jamal Parker/Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Eric Simonton/Mike Hodge          8-3
2. Michael Calkins/Mike Kosta (ILL) def. Adam Hourani/Mike Jonckheere   8-1
3. Nathan Zeder/Amer Delic (ILL) def. Rodrigo Abucham/Jason Chen        8-3