April 27, 2002

The Illinois men's tennis team is back in the Big Ten Tournament final after sweeping Purdue, 4-0, at the OSU Stickney Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The Illini have won 10 consecutive matches and are 22-4 overall, including 12-0 in conference play. Illinois will face either Minnesota or Ohio State in tomorrow's final at 11 a.m. "I don't think our guys are looking specifically toward either team," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley, referring to tomorrow's championship match. "I think our guys just wanted to get to Sunday. But both Ohio State and Minnesota are good teams, and we'll have to play better tomorrow than we did today to win."

Illinois started slow out of the gates against the Boilermakers in doubles play. Purdue led 4-1, 4-0 and 4-1 in the doubles matches at one point, but Illinois rallied to win the team point. Sophomores Amer Delic and Michael Calkins, the No. 6 duo in the nation, knocked off Scott Mayer and Dan Swan, 9-7. Seniors Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder won, 8-5, against Derek Miller and Seth McKinley.

"Purdue played well at the beginning of the match," Tiley said. "They were strong in doubles, and they put together three particularly strong combinations out there. We won, but we still didn't start the match very well."

A trio of sophomores led the Illini to victory in singles play. Brian Wilson continued his hot play with a 6-0, 6-2 drubbing of Derek Miller. Phil Stolt defeated Carl McCafferty, 6-4, 6-1, and Michael Calkins clinched the match with a 6-1, 7-6 (5) win versus Laith Al-Agba. Purdue, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, fell to 12-11, 7-5 on the year.

Today's Illinois Results:

Singles
1.  No. 13 Amer Delic (ILL) vs. Scott Mayer (PUR)           suspended
2.  No. 39 Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Derek Miller (PUR)       6-0, 6-2
3.  No. 63 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Carl McCafferty (PUR)      6-4, 6-1
4.  Mike Kosta (ILL) vs. Andrew Wakefield (PUR)             suspended
5.  No. 100 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Laith Al-Agba (PUR)  6-1, 7-6 (5)
6.  Chris Martin (ILL) vs. Troy Havens (PUR)                suspended

Doubles
1.  No. 6 Amer Delic/Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Scott Mayer/Dan Swan (PUR)      9-7
2.  Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL) vs. Laith Al-Agba/Carl McCafferty (PUR)       suspended
3.  Mike Kosta/Nathan Zeder (ILL) def. Derek Miller/Troy Havens (PUR)	8-5