April 6, 2003
Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley must have been very effective in getting his team's attention after yesterday's lackluster 5-2 win at Ohio State. The Illini, ranked No. 1 in the nation, took care of business in the manner one would expect from a team that expects to challenge for the national championship. Despite being without two of its top six players in singles, Illinois dominated 64th-ranked Penn State today in State College, Pa., 7-0. UI freshman Rajeev Ram was in Calabasas, Calif., to compete as an amateur in a professional Challenger event, and junior Michael Calkins sat out singles play in order to rest a sore knee.
The Fighting Illini wasted no time in taking control. They seized the doubles point by sweeping all three matches. No. 5 Calkins and Amer Delic ran away from Clint Keithly and Roddy Cantey, 8-1, on Court 1. Chris Martin and Phil Stolt teamed up to take the No. 2 match, 8-3, over Brad Nudell and Malcolm Scatliffe. And Brian Wilson and Pramod Dabir, a rarely-used combination, beat PSU's Nate Emge and Mark Barry, 8-4, at No. 3.
After the intermission, Illinois asserted its singles dominance. Wilson, in Ram's absence, was moved up to the No. 1 spot and responded with a 6-3, 6-2 verdict over Nate Emge. Phil Stolt outdueled the Lions' Mark Barry, 7-5, 6-1, at No. 2. Delic disposed of Scatliffe, 6-3, 6-3, in the No. 3 battle. At No. 4, Chris Martin came in off the bench to defeat Cantey, 6-2, 6-2. Ryler DeHeart dropped Clint Keithley of Penn State, 6-1, 5-7, 10-5 in the tussle at No. 5. And Illinois' Pramod Dabir beat Penn State's Todd Stecko at No. 6, 6-4, 6-3, to pick up his 18th consecutive victory. Dabir has tied Graydon Oliver for the longest singles winning streak in UI men's tennis history (18 in 1999-2000).
"All of our guys played well today," said Tiley. "Chris Martin and a great weekend and finished out strong, and I was also pleased with the way that Ryler DeHeart and Pramod Dabit contributed."
Illinois is now 18-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten play. The Orange and Blue will step out of conference for one final time before post-season play, as their next match takes place Thursday at Louisiana State. Michigan and Michigan State will take on the Illini next weekend at the Atkins Tennis Center.
No. 1 ILLINOIS 7 at No. 64 Penn State 0
SINGLES:
1. No. 7 Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Nate Emge (PSU) 6-3, 6-2
2. No. 6 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Mark Barry (PSU) 7-5, 6-1
3. No. 4 Amer Delic (ILL) def. Malcolm Scatliffe (PSU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Chris Martin (ILL) def. Roddy Cantey (PSU) 6-2, 6-2
5. No. 73 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Clint Keithley (PSU) 6-1, 5-7, (10-5)
6. Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Todd Stecko (PSU) 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES:
1. No. 5 Michael Calkins/Amer Delic (ILL def. Clint Keithley/Roddy Cantey (PSU) 8-1
2. Phil Stolt/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Brad Nudell/Malcom Scatliffe (PSU) 8-3
3. Pramod Dabir/Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Nate Emge/Mark Berry (PSU) 8-4
