April 3, 2004

Although No. 1-ranked Illinois played less than inspired tennis this afternoon, the team did take care of business in its match at unranked Wisconsin, winning, 7-0, and moving its season record to 17-0. The Badgers fell to 5-8 overall, and 0-3 in league play.

Cold and windy conditions in Madison forced play indoors, which may have had somewhat of an effect on the Fighting Illini.

"We just got back from Florida where we played and practiced outside," said Illinois Head Coach Craig Tiley. "Our players had to adjust to the faster indoor courts, plus we changed our lineup around today in order to rest Phil Stolt in doubles and Brian Wilson in singles, while getting Pramod (Dabir), Conner (Murnighan) and Evan (Zeder) some work. We didn't play great, but we got the job done."

Illinois captured the doubles point on the strength of wins in the matches at No. 1 and No. 3. Michael Calkins and Chris Martin, ranked No. 15, moved up to the No. 1 spot in the lineup today and outlasted the Badgers' David Hippee and Scott Green, 9-7. In the No. 3 duel, Dabir and Ryler DeHeart teamed for an 8-3 decision over Wisconsin's Ward Bortz and Mark Weinig. At No. 2, Murnighan and Wilson were tripped up by UW's Pete Amundson and Alex Kasarov, 8-6.

On the singles side, the bottom half of the Illinois lineup won in straight sets, while the top half needed three sets to do its part in the sweep. Zeder came off the bench to tally a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Amundson in the No. 6 contest. GD Jones got past Weinig, 7-5, 6-3, at No. 5. And No. 48 Chris Martin dispatched Wisconsin's Ward Bortz, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 singles.

Stolt, ranked No. 24, moved up to the No. 1 spot in the lineup and mounted a strong comeback to defeat Kasarov., 1-6, 6-1, 7-6. Calkins collected his team-high 21st singles victory of the season, a 7-6 (7), 6-3 decision over Green in the No. 2 match. In addition, DeHeart slipped by Hippee, 7-6 (8), 6-4, in the tussle at No. 3.

Tomorrow the Illini go after their 50th dual-match victory in a row when they play at 36th-ranked Northwestern. The Illini and the Wildcats have enjoyed a spirited rivalry over the years, and the fact that Illinois is bringing a busload of fans to join their Chicagoland fans should give the match a special feel.

"We always enjoy competing with Northwestern," said Tiley. "They're definitely improved this year, and with all of the fans for both teams that will be at the match, it should be fun."

Today's Results:
No. 1 Illinois 7 at Wisconsin 0

Singles:
1. #24 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Alex Kasarov (WIS)   1-6, 6-1, 7-6
2. Michael Calkins (ILL) def. Scott Green (WIS)   7-6 (7), 6-3
3. Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. David Hippee (WIS)    7-6 (8), 6-4
4. #48Chris Martin (ILL) def. Ward Bortz (WIS)    6-2, 6-2
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. Mark Weinig (WIS)          7-5, 6-3
6. Evan Zeder (ILL) def. Pete Amundson (WIS)      6-3, 6-4

Doubles:
1. #15 Michael Calkins-Chris Martin (ILL) def. Scott Green-David Hippee (WIS)      9-7
2. Alex Kasarov - Pete Amundson (WIS) def. Brian Wilson - Conner Murnighan (ILL)   8-6
3. Ryler DeHeart - Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Ward Bortz - Mark Weinig (WIS)          8-3