March 7, 2002

The Illinois men's tennis team was defeated 4-3 by Notre Dame Thursday at the Atkins Tennis Center. The loss, the team's second straight, dropped the No. 5 Illini to 8-3 on the year.

"They (Notre Dame) played a good match, but we are a talented group," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "Certainly, we didn't do what we were supposed to do, but I'm confident we'll get much better. Today is today, and tomorrow is tomorrow."

The Irish (12-3) took the first point of the match, winning two of three in doubles play. Javier Taborga and Casey Smith, ranked No. 5, upended No. 7 Illini sophomores Amer Delic and Michael Calkins, 8-5. Seniors Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder, ranked No. 58, defeated Notre Dame's Aaron Talarico and Brent D'Amico 8-6, but the Irish clinched the point after James Malhame and Ashok Raju beat sophomores Phil Stolt and Brian Wilson, 9-8 (4).

"Doubles play was not good," Tiley said. "If we want to be more successful we have to do much better in doubles. We'll definitely work on it. You have to give consistently, and if you do you'll be great in the end."

Kosta highlighted the Illinois' singles play, earning his 100th career win. The 6-4 senior from Ann Arbor, Mich. is only the eighth Illinois player to reach century mark and is 100-42 for his career.

"I don't care if I get 10 or 15 or 20 or 100," Kosta said. "I want to win as a team, and that's why I came here. Maybe as I get older I'll start to appreciate it a bit more."

The Irish won the match after Smith outlasted Wilson 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-4. Wilson trailed 4-1 in the third set, but he couldn't complete the comeback. No. 20 Taborga beat No.9 Delic 6-2, 6-4, and Andrew Laflin put away Zeder 1-6, 6-1, 6-3. Stolt and Calkins picked up the remaining singles wins for the Illini.

Today's Illinois results

Singles
#20 Javier Taborga (ND) def. #9 Amer Delic (ILL)        6-2, 6-4
Casey Smith (ND) def. #92 Brian Wilson (ILL)            7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-4
#43 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. #121 Aaron Talaric (ND)       6-3, 2-6, 6-3
Mike Kosta (ILL) def. Luis Haddock (ND)                 6-1, 6-3
#71 Michael Calkins (ILL) def #53 Matt Scott (ND)       6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Andrew Laflin (ND) def. #67 Nathan Zeder (ILL)          1-6, 6-1, 6-3

Doubles
#5 Taborga/Smith (ND) def. #7 Calkins/Delic (ILL)       8-5
James Malhame/ Ashok Raju (ND) def. Stolt/Wilson (ILL)  9-8 (4)
#58 Kosta/Zeder (ILL) def. Talarico/Brent D'Amico (ND)  8-6