Feb. 27, 2004
In a battle of unbeatens tonight at the Atkins Tennis Center, the top-ranked Fighting Illini (12-0) toppled No. 27 Virginia (9-1), 6-1. With the win the Illini are now just one victory shy of tying Stanford's NCAA winning streak record of 45 matches. The victory also extended the team's home winning streak to 27 matches in a row.
"I think we all did a good job (tonight)," said Illinois junior Chris Martin. "Virginia is one of those dangerous teams that is young and talented. Tonight I think we made a statement that no one is going to come into Atkins and push us around."
After moving into third place on UI's all-time career doubles win list last night, senior Michael Calkins (No. 54) is now tied for fifth for the most singles wins in Illinois history with 108, after a come-from-behind victory over Rylan Rizza, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. He was also victorious with doubles teammate Martin (duo ranked 18th nationally), when they triumphed over Stephen Rozek and Marko Miklo, 8-2.
"His (Calkins') influence on me has been unbelievable," said Martin. "He is one of the most experienced guys on the team. He is one of the greatest competitors that I have ever played with or against. Just having him around is such a big motivator for the team."
Just as last night, the Illini secured the doubles point with a clean sweep. Besides Calkins' and Martin's victory, the eighth-ranked duo of Brian Wilson and Phil Stolt beat No. 20 Rylan Rizza and Nick Meythaler, 8-1, at No. 1. At No.3, in a thrilling match that saw numerous lead changes, Pramod Dabir and Ryler DeHeart beat Doug Stewart and Darrin Cohen, 9-8 (8).
"I think we played well again (tonight)," said Head Coach Craig Tiley. "I don't think we played as well as we did last night, but we played very well in doubles. We have been putting high expectations on these guys the whole time, and they may have started thinking a little ahead."
After winning the first set, 6-4, the 20th-ranked Stolt fell behind, 40-love, in the first game of his second singles set, then fought back to capture a 1-0 second-set lead. The senior from New Jersey never looked back after that, capturing the set, 6-0, to finish off No. 98 Stephen Rozek at No. 2. Stolt's doubles partner, Wilson (No. 23), captured a first set win by the score of 6-3, then rattled off three straight games in the second set to derail 18th ranked Doug Stewart, 6-3, 6-3.
DeHeart's undefeated spring season (10-0) continued tonight when he beat Marko Miklo, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 4. An exciting match point win in the 12th game of the second set secured a victory for the 67th-ranked Martin, who beat Nick Meythaler, 6-2, 6-4. Jones suffered the lone loss on the night for the Orange and Blue when he fell to Darrin Cohen, 6-4, 4-6, (10-8), at No. 6.
"GD lost his match, but I think that was a good thing," said Tiley. "He is a freshman, he has been winning a lot, and winning a lot is great, but you tend to forget things that you need to learn. He's got to become a better tennis player, and losing a match isn't critical at this point.
The Illini return to action next Saturday when they travel to Iowa for their Big Ten opener. Illinois does not return to the home courts for a match until April 10.
"We have had fun at home," continued Tiley. "It has been a fun stretch for us, and hopefully the next time around we come out and have a big crowd."
At No. 1 Illinois 6, No. 27 Virginia 1
Attendance: 683
Singles:
1. No. 23 Brian Wilson (ILL) def. No. 18 Doug Stewart (VA) 6-3, 6-3
2. No. 20 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. No. 98 Stephen Rozek (VA) 6-4, 6-0
3. No. 54 Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Rylan Rizza (VA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-0
4. No. 100 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Marko Miklo (VA) 6-2, 6-3
5. No. 67 Chris Martin (ILL) def. Nick Meythaler (VA) 6-2, 6-4
6. Darrin Cohen (VA) def. GD Jones (ILL) 6-4, 4-6, (10-8)
Doubles:
1. No. 8 Phil Stolt/Brian Wilson (ILL) def. No. 20 Rylan Rizza/Nick Meythaler (VA) 8-1
2. No. 18 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. Stephen Rozek/Marko Miklo (VA) 8-2
3. Ryler DeHeart/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Doug Stewart/Darrin Cohen (VA) 9-8 (8)
