Jan. 24, 2004
The Illinois men's tennis team improved its record to 2-0 on the season, defeating the No. 9 Texas A&M Aggies (4-1), 4-3 at the Atkins Tennis Center Saturday night in front of a frenzied standing room only crowd. With the victory, the Illini broke the men's tennis school record of 21 straight home victories, which has been held since the 1973 season. The victory also marked the sixth straight victory over the Aggies.
"I think we have the best fans in the country, no question about," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "The players love playing in front of our fans, and I think they get energized by the atmosphere."
In doubles action, the tandem of Phil Stolt and Brian Wilson took the No. 1 ranked duo of Lester Cook and Ante Matijevic to the brink of elimination, losing in a grueling back and forth battle, 9-8 (7). The teams traded points throughout the match with neither team holding an advantage greater than 2 games. In the tie-breaker, the Illini took a 7-6 lead, but the top-ranked duo ended the match with three straight points, winning 9-7.
"I think that was a great start for them (Wilson and Stolt)," continued Tiley. "If they continue to play like that, that may be the only team that they lose to all year."
Despite the defeat suffered by Stolt and Wilson, the Illini were able to secure the doubles point, with victories by the tandems of Michael Calkins-Chris Martin and Pramod Dabir-Ryler DeHeart. Calkins and Martin, ranked 14th nationally, defeated their Aggie opponents 8-1. While, at the three spot Dabir and DeHeart fended their opponents off, beating them 8-5.
The clinching victory for the Fighting Illini came at No. 4 singles when No. 39 Michael Calkins broke serve to win the second set 6-2, behind his first set victory of 6-4. Other Illini that helped secure the victory were sophomores (No. 74) Dabir and (No. 65) DeHeart. Dabir defeated Bryan Wooton in straight sets; 6-2, 6-4 and DeHeart defeated Khaled El Dorry 6-2, 6-2.
"The pressure gets tougher and tougher as we go," continued Tiley. "My job is to alleviate that pressure, and the only way to do it is to make them better tennis players. I told the players that if they thought about the outcome they would fail, but if they thought about their actions they would succeed."
The next match for the No. 1 Fighting Illini will be next Saturday vs. Pepperdine starting at 6 p.m at the Atkins Tennis Center.
#1 Illinois 4, #9 Texas A&M 3
Singles:
1. #17 Lester Cook (A&M) def. Brian Wilson (ILL) 7-6(3), 7-6(8)
2. #19 Ante Matijevic (A&M) def. Phil Stolt (ILL) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(4)
3. Mohamed Dakki (A&M) def. #47 Chris Martin (ILL) 7-5, 6-2
4. #39 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Brett Joelson (A&M) 6-4, 6-2
5. #65 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Khaled El Dorry (A&M) 6-2, 6-2
6. #74 Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Bryan Wooten(A&M) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles:
1. #1 Lester Cook/Ante Matijevic (A&M) def. Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL) 9-8(7)
2. #14 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Mohamed Dakki/ Brett Joelson (A&M) 8-1
3. Ryler DeHeart/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Khaled El Dorry/Zack Malmgren (A&M) 8-5
