Nov. 6, 2004

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Fighting Illini junior Ryler DeHeart continued his incredible run at the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships this afternoon at the University of Michigan's Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. to advance to tomorrow's title bout. The ITA National Indoor Championships is one of the premier collegiate tennis events that only 32 singles players can qualify for. DeHeart is only the second Illini to ever make the finals of this event after Amer Delic was runner-up in the 2002 final.

"Ryler came out on the offensive against a real strong player," said Illinois associate head coach Brad Dancer. "Merwe has a big game, but Ryler continued to stay aggressive, especially in the third set which was enough."

DeHeart advanced to the championship behind a three set victory over fifth seeded and ninth-ranked Izak van der Merwe of Old Dominion. DeHeart, ranked 95th nationally jumped out to an early lead after taking the first set 6-2. The junior dropped the second before finishing strong to win the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Today's win improves DeHeart's record to 17-1 on the season and 9-1 against ranked opponents. In addition to Merwe, DeHeart has already beaten No. 29 Roger Matalonga (Arizona), fourth seeded and eighth ranked Pedro Rico (Pepperdine) and No. 59 Amaud Lecloerec (Virginia Commonwealth). Tomorrow DeHeart will face either second seeded and second ranked Sam Warburg of USC or Kentucky's third seeded and third ranked Jesse Witten.

Semifinal Results
Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Izak van der Merwe (Old Dominion); 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Tomorrow's Final
No. 95 Ryler DeHeart (ILL vs. No. 2 (3) Jesse Witten (Kentucky); 1:30 p.m. EST (subject to change)