Jan. 17, 2004

The Illinois men's tennis team finished off its training/touring trip to Coach Craig Tiley's native South Africa today with an impressive exhibition showing against a collection of university stars from that country.

The Orange and Blue won seven of the eight singles matches and three of the four doubles contests in the non-scored match at Tiley's alma mater, the University of Stellenbosch.

"We expected to win the match," said Tiley. "Our players are better. It was the first day for the South Africans to be working out after their break. We had the advantage after having worked out for the two weeks we've been over here.

"Our players have been preparing well, and they played well today. It has been a great trip, and we can't wait to get the season started."

They won't have to wait long. The Fighting Illini, who left campus Jan. 2 and leave South Africa tomorrow at noon Central time, will be back in the Twin Cities on Monday, in time for classes, which begin Tuesday, and in time to prepare for their opening weekend of competition. Illinois' first opponent will be Ball State, which invades the Atkins Tennis Center Friday, Jan. 23, for a 6 p.m. match. The top-ranked Illini will take on Texas A&M Saturday at 6 p.m.

Today's results:

Singles

1. Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Ricky DeKlerk (SAFR)            6-1, 2-6, 6-2
2. Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Duncan Krisjan (SAFR)          6-3, 6-4
3. Chris Martin (ILL) def. Joshua Mkachela (SAFR)          6-1, 6-1
4. Michael Calkins (ILL) def. def. Brendan Thomas (SAFR)   6-1, 6-1
5. Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Botha Pretorious (SAFR)           6-4, 6-0
6. Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Daniel Schoeman (SAFR)            7-6 (4), 6-2
7. Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Jacque Malan (SAFR)             6-1, 6-0
8. Ettienno Lown (SAFR) def. Chris Sanchez (ILL)           7-5, 6-3

Doubles

1. Brian Wilson/Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Duncan Krisjan/Joshua Mkachela (SAFR)       6-1, 6-1
2. Chris Martin/Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Ricky DeKlerk/Brendan Thomas (SAFR)    6-0, 6-0
3. Ryler DeHeart/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Daniel Schoeman/Jacque Malan (SAFR)      6-2, 7-5
4. Botha Pretorious/Ettienno Lown (SAFR) def. Evan Zeder/Chris Sanchez (ILL)      6-4, 5-7 (10-2)