University of Illinois
ITA Regional Qualifying and Championships
October 21, 2005 | Men's Tennis
Oct. 21, 2005
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
ITA Midwest Regional Doubles Main Draw
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The University of Illinois men's tennis team opened play on Friday in the doubles main draw of the Wilson/ITA Midwest Regional Championships at the Varsity Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Illini entered the doubles tournament with three seeded teams, the most behind only Ohio State with four. The Orange and Blue netters lived up to their seeding as they pulled off the sweep, winning each doubles match in the first round.
"We have to get better at returning serves," head coach Brad Dancer said. "But it's good to advance on the first day. Tomorrow starts singles and we'll definitely get after it."
Each of the three Illini doubles duos advanced on Friday to the round of 16 by the score of 8-6.
Sophomore Brandon Davis lost in the singles qualifier round of 32 to Indiana's 11th-seeded Michael McCarthy, 6-4, 6-2 in Friday's round of 32.
The singles main draw begins Saturday with five Orange and Blue netters each vying for the singles final and a birth in the ITA National Indoor Championships hosted by Ohio State, Nov. 3-6. 11th-seeded Ruben Gonzales will face Adam Monich (MSU) and Monte Tucker will take on 18th-seeded Raoul Schwark (MINN). On the other half of the bracket, 15th-seeded Marc Spicjaric will face Dara McLoughlin (IND), Ryan Rowe will have the daunting task of challenging 4th-seeded Stephen Bass of Notre Dame and Pramod Dabir will play Marko Merevic of Bradley who Dabir defeated in the first round of tlast years tournament, 7-5, 6-2.
Complete tournament and bracket information can be found at itatennis.com.
Friday's Midwest Regional Results Qualifying Singles Round of 32 Michael McCarthy(11) (IU) def. Brandon Davis (ILL); 6-4, 6-2Doubles Round of 64 Marc Spicijaric/Monte Tucker(13) (ILL) def. Kelubia Mabatah/Kurt Zaske (PUR); 8-6 Ruben Gonzales/Ryan Rowe(6) (ILL) def. Stephen Bass/Andrew Roth (ND); 8-6 Pramod DAbir/Brandon Davis(10) (ILL) def. Nic Kooyers/Mike Shideler (VALPO); 8-6
