Oct. 26, 2004
Ann Arbor, Mich. -
Junior Ryler DeHeart and sophomore GD Jones capped off a terrific week for the Illinois tennis team on Tuesday as they teamed up to sweep the ITA Midwest Regional Championships at the University of Michigan's Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. This marks the first time the Illini have swept the ITA Midwest Regional. DeHeart singles championship is the first at the Regional since Phil Stolt won in 2002 and the doubles title makes it two consecutive after Michael Calkins and Chris Martin won doubles last season.
"This was a tremendous result for Ryler after all the progress he has shown this week," said Illinois associate head coach Brad Dancer about DeHeart's singles play. "It's very exciting seeing him add new dimensions to his game like he has here. His serve has improved a lot and his focus to stay in the present, along with the ability to take his game to a new level when it counts was awesome to witness."
The 95th ranked player in the nation had to earn it all in the first match of the day against Ohio State's Devin Mullings. Mullings, who is No. 116 in the nation and defeated Illini doubles teammate, Jones in the quarterfinal, did not give DeHeart many opportunities. However, the few chances DeHeart had, he capitalized on. DeHeart would fight away Mullings just enough to squeeze out a 7-5, 7-5 victory to move onto the final.
DeHeart did not get much rest as the final was immediately after the semifinal and matched him against No. 94 Brian Hung from host school, Michigan. The junior must have found a rhythm from the first match as he came out extremely aggressive in the first set winning 6-3. The Florida native did not look much different in the second set as he attacked early and often grabbing the second set 6-4 to win the Regional and qualify for the National Indoor Tournament in Ann Arbor, Nov. 4-7. DeHeart finished the week 6-0 in singles and improves to 13-1 on the season.
In doubles, the No. 1 seeded combo played like the top seed as they defeated Drew Eberly and Ross Wilson of Ohio State in the doubles final 8-5. The Illinois tandem moves to 9-2 with the championship victory and also receives an invitation to the National Indoor Tournament.
"These two really poses a unique chemistry ," Dancer said of doubles champions. "They work so well together. With their right-left combination and their understanding of the doubles game allows them to be smart when executing when it counts."
Singles Main Draw Results
No. 95 (2) R. DeHeart (ILL) def. No. 116 (13) Devin Mullings (OSU); 7-5, 7-5
No. 95 (2) R. DeHeart (ILL) def. No. 94 (12) Brian Hung (MICH); 6-3, 6-4
Doubles Main Draw Results
No. 17 (1) DeHeart/Jones (ILL) def. (16) Drew Eberly/Ross Wilson (OSU);
8-5
