Feb. 21, 2004

The top-ranked Fighting Illini improved their season record to a perfect 10-0 after a 7-0 victory over in-state foe Illinois State this evening at the UI Atkins Tennis Center. With the win, the Illini improved to 53-1 all time against the Redbirds. The Illini also extended their winning streak to 42 dual matches, and are now just three shy of tying the NCAA mark set by Stanford.

"I think Illinois State came in put up a fight and made our guys play, which was encouraging," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "From our end, I was pleased with the guys' performances. It is pretty easy to not execute and not do a good job when you expect yourself to win and they didn't do that. That is key."

Tiley changed up his lineups this evening. After their 8-0 win last night, Ryler DeHeart and GD Jones beat Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari, 8-1. at No. 1 doubles. In the No. 2 match, juniors Evan Zeder and Chris Matin toppled Ben Cappuccitti and Yohann Nograbat, 8-3. The Orange and Blue completed the doubles sweep with an 8-5 decision at No. 3, Michael Calkins and Pramod Dabir defeating Alban Renard and Guillermo Gomez.

"We switched things up to give them a different look and keep them on their toes," said Tiley of the lineup changes.

In singles, sophomore Pramod Dabir, ranked No. 74, was perfect, winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 over Renard. Calkins, ranked 39th nationally, improved to 7-0 in the spring season after beating Cappuccitti, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1. DeHeart (No. 65) also remained perfect on the spring season (9-0) after a 6-3, 6-4 victory against Nograbat. Jones continued his winning ways, defeating Gomez, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 4. Zeder made it a clean sweep by beating Alfredo Lagarda, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 6.

"Pramod is playing better; I think he has picked it up a level," said Tiley. "Everyone is doing a good job; they stayed disciplined, stayed with the things we have been working on, and they did it all night. If they keep doing that, they are going to have a great year, and if they don't, they're going to have some bumps in the road."

The Illini will continue their homestand Thursday when they face No. 50 Notre Dame at 5 p.m. at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini will also host No. 12 Virginia on Friday night at Atkins. Next weekend will be the last chance for fans to see the top-ranked Illini before hit the road for the entire month of March (eight road matches).

TONIGHT'S RESULTS:
No. 1 Illinois 7, Illinois State 0
Attendance: 373

Singles:
1. No. 39 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Ben Pettinari (ISU)      6-4, 6-2
2. No. 47 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Ben Cappuccitti (ISU)       5-2 (Ret.)
3. No. 65 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Yohann Nograbat (ISU)      6-3, 6-4
4. GD Jones (ILL) def. Guillermo Gomez (ISU)                  6-1, 6-2
5. No. 74 Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Alban Renard (ISU)          6-0, 6-0
6. Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Alfredo Lagarda (ISU)                6-2, 6-3

Doubles:
1. Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) def. Djordje Uskokovic/Ben Pettinari (ISU)       8-1
2. Evan Zeder/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Ben Cappuccitti/Yohann Nograbat (ISU)      8-3
3. Michael Calkins/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Alban Renard/Guillermo Gomez (ISU)    8-5