Sept. 19, 2003

The Illinois men's tennis team began 2003-04 competition this past weekend at the Audi Napa Valley Tennis Classic, hosted by the University of California. The Illini took on players from Cal, Texas A&M and Georgia in the individually-based round robin affair. No team scores were kept, but the Fighting Illini won 13 of their 25 matches, despite being having to play short-handed.

As was announced last week, Rajeev Ram, a freshman All-American and national doubles champ last year, did not return to school. Illinois was also without seniors Amer Delic and Brian Wilson, who are competing this fall as amateurs in professional tournaments while taking the semester off from school. In addition, the Orange and Blue was without the services of senior Phil Stolt who is recuperating from late-August back surgery (he is expected back in November).

Junior Chris Martin had an outstanding weekend, winning all three of his singles matches and, along with partner Evan Zeder, taking a pair of doubles matches in as many outings. Additionally, sophomore Pramod Dabir was undefeated at Napa Valley, victorious in all three of his singles contests and in both of his doubles tilts (along with Ryler DeHeart). Although senior Michael Calkins had a tough weekend, going 1-3 overall, his singles victory was a significant one. He battled past California's Tyler Browne, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

"Our players did a fairly decent job, when you consider the fact that we were playing against Top-10 teams without Amer, Brian and Phil," said Tiley. "We basically split our matches with them, but we had a good effort.

"We got what we wanted out of the tournament. Our younger player were able to get several matches in, and we've been able to identify some areas that each of our players needs to work on."

ILLINOIS' RESULTS FROM NAPA VALLEY (Sept. 12-14)

Singles:
Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Dean Wallace (CAL)                6-4, 6-1
Conner Murnighan (ILL) def. Adam Van Loan (GA)            6-3, 7-5
Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Jason Varela (GA)                   2-6, 6-3, 6-3
#86 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Strahinja Bobusic (GA)	  6-2, 6-2
Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Stephan Timu (GA)                 6-3, 6-2
#44 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. #99 Khaled El Dorry (A&M)	  1-6, 6-4, 6-3
Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Matt Loucks (A&M)                 6-3, 7-5
#86 Chris Martin (ILL) def. #33 Ante Matijevic (A&M)      6-4, 6-4
Brett Joelson (A&M) def. Conner Murnighan (ILL)           6-3, 6-0
Marvin Rolle (A&M) def. Evan Zeder (ILL)                  6-3, 6-2
#16 Lester Cook (A&M) def. #62 Michael Calkins (ILL)      6-4, 6-3
#99 John Isner (GA) def. #44 Ryler DeHeart (ILL)          6-4, 6-2
#67 Matias Ormaza (GA) def. #62 Michael Calkins (ILL)     6-4, 7-6 (3)
Kuni Minato (CAL) def. Chris Sanchez (ILL)                2-6, 6-3, 6-3
#81 Balazs Veress (CAL) def. #44 Ryler DeHeart (ILL)      6-1, 6-2
Jake Leivent (CAL) def. Chris Sanchez (ILL)               2-6, 6-4, 6-1
John Pettit (CAL) def. Chris Sanchez (ILL)                6-4, 6-2
Andreas Peterson (CAL) def. Conner Murnighan (ILL)        6-4, 6-3
#62 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Tyler Browne (CAL)         6-4, 5-7, 6-4

#31 Chris Martin/Evan Zeder (ILL) def. John Isner/Stephan Timu (GA)             8-3
Pramod Dabir/Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Stahinja Bobusic/Matias Ormaza (GA)       8-1
Pramod Dabir/Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Khaled El Dorry/Bryan Wooten (A&M)        8-4
#31 Chris Martin/Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Lester Cook/Marvin Rolle (A&M)           9-7
Brett Joelson/Alex Strom (A&M) def. #16 Michael Calkins/Conner Murnighan (ILL)  8-4
Richardo Gonzales/Jason Varela (GA) def. Conner Murnighan/Chris Sanchez (ILL)   8-5