Oct. 24, 2004

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Junior Ryler DeHeart and sophomore GD Jones once again displayed dominance on Sunday at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships at the University of Michigan's Varsity Tennis Center as the two were perfect on the day. Both reached the quarterfinals in singles competition and also advanced to the quarterfinals as a doubles duo.

"They played great today," said Illinois head coach Craig Tiley. "I was really proud of their effort especially of GD's this morning in singles. He beat a really good player from Ohio State to advance to the quarterfinals."

Jones, ranked 111th nationally and seeded third in the tournament, met tenth seeded and 90th-ranked Chris Klingemann from Ohio State in the round of 16. After splitting the first two sets, Jones dominated the third to win 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 to improve to 9-3 on the year. DeHeart, ranked number 95 and seeded second, breezed through singles against 101st-ranked and 16th seed Willy Gali of Western Michigan. DeHeart, 10-1 on the year, took control early, winning the first set 6-2, before eliminating Gali with a second set 6-3 victory.

In doubles, the top seeded Orange and Blue tandem received an early scare from Bradley's Matt Metully and Alex Roby. The Bradley pair forced a 16th game before DeHeart and Jones won 9-7. In the round of 16, the Illini toppled the 15th seeded duo of Jose Orozco and Brady Crosby, 8-6. The Illinois pair is now 7-2 on the young season.

"They were on the court from nine in the morning until six at night," said Tiley of the player's effort today. "They are having to play three matches in a day and it is pretty taxing. They are taking steps to prevent muscle soreness; as they compete for a regional championship."

The players will be back in action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Est. DeHeart will face Western Michigan's Orozco and Jones will battle Devin Mullings of Ohio State. The two will face Iowa's tandem of Kyle Markham and Brett Taylor following singles play.

Singles Main Draw Results
tournament seeds in parentheses
No. 95 (2) Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. No. 101 (16) Willy Gali (N.ILL)   6-2, 6-3
No. 111 (3) GD Jones (ILL) def. No. 90 (10) Chris Klingemann (OSU)    6-2, 3-6, 6-2
Doubles Main Draw Results
No. 17 (1) Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) def. Matt Metully/Alex Roby (BRAD)           9-7
No. 17 (1) Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) def. (15) Jose Orozco/Brady Crosby (W.MICH)  8-6