Oct. 9, 2004
Chattanooga, Tenn. -
Illinois' duo of Ryler DeHeart and GD Jones could not extend their play one more day as they fell in the doubles semifinal match this afternoon at the Icy Hot/ITA All-American Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn. At the Louisville Fall Invitational senior Evan Zeder and freshman Andrew Eklov moved into the finals of the "A" and "B" flights. Zeder will play in the "A" flight final, while the freshman Eklov competes in the "B" flight.
The Illini No. 17 doubles combo of DeHeart/Jones who had played exceptional tennis all week did not have enough as they went down to New Mexico's David Kowalski/Ryan Stotland 8-6. Associate head coach Brad Dancer enjoyed every minute watching this doubles combination come so close to the final after a terrific week.
"It was a great match and I thought they had enough to get it done," Dancer said. "They had a great week playing together and hopefully these kind of performances will give them a lot of confidence down the road."
In singles play, Jones continued his run in the consolation bracket by defeating Rylan Rizza from Virginia this morning 7-5, 6-4. In the semifinal No. 111 Jones faced Somdev De Varman also from Virginia but did not get the job done falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Jones went 3-2 in singles play for the week.
At the Louisville Fall Invitational, Zeder and Eklov again won a pair of matches that moved them into the final in the "A" and "B" flights. Zeder, in his first match defeated Chaitu Malempati of Iowa 6-7 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4. In the semifinal, Zeder took on Nicolas Houard, one of Louisville's top players, beating him 6-2, 6-2. Eklov, in his first match squared off against Adam Storti from Morehead St. who he defeated 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
In the "B" semifinal, Eklov faced Bart van Monsjou from Iowa who he handled in three sets 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.
"I've seen a considerable amount of improvement by both of these guys just since we've been here," Illini head coach Tiley said of Zeder and Eklov. "This is the best I've seen Evan. He's progressed so well this week, I couldn't be more excited for him. I am also proud of the way Andrew has handled himself this week, he has played terrific for a freshman."
For complete bracket results from the ITA All-American Tournament please visit www.itatennis.com.
For results from the Louisville Invitational please visit www.uoflsports.com.
ITA Results
Consolation Singles:
No. 111 GD Jones (ILL) def. Rylan Rizza (Virginia); 7-5, 6-4
Somdev De Varman (Virginia) def. No. 111 GD Jones (ILL); 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Doubles:
David Kowalski/Ryan Stotland (New Mexico) def. No. 17 DeHeart/Jones (ILL); 8-6
Louisville Invitational Results
Singles:
Flight "A"
Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Chaitu Malempati (Iowa); 6-7 (7-3), 6-4, 6-4,
Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Nicolas Houard (Louisville); 6-2, 6-2
Flight "B"
Andrew Eklov (ILL) def. Adam Storti (Morehead St.); 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
Andrew Eklov (ILL) def. Bart van Monsjou (Iowa); 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
Doubles
Johnstone/Kachel (Morehead St.) def. Brandon Davis/Evan Zeder; 8-5
Tomorrow:
Flight "A"
Evan Zeder (ILL) vs. Slavko Radman (Louisville): 10 a.m. CST
Flight "B"
Andrew Eklov (ILL) vs. Marcus Sundh (Kentucky); 10 a.m. CST
Doubles
Johnstone/Kachel (Morehead St.) def. Brandon Davis/Evan Zeder; 8-5
