Oct. 6, 2006
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's tennis team looked impressive in its first day of competition at the Scott Treibly College Tennis Challenge in Bradenton, Fla., on Friday. Freshman Billy Heiser and sophomore Marc Spicijaric posted a 2-0 record to lead the Illini, while junior Brandon Davis went 1-1 on day one at the non-team event.
"We are looking good, but always have room for improvement," head coach Brad Dancer said. "The guys are playing their games, but I would like them to continue to impose their style of play throughout the match. It took a while for our guys to work into matches, but they were able to hang on and push through to win."
Heiser defeated Kyle Virgin of Kentucky, 10-6, before dismissing Robert Jendelund of Armstrong State, 10-7. Spicijaric took down Shane Collins of Kentucky, 10-1, before hanging on to topple Paul Bishop of Armstrong State, 10-9. Davis, however, fell short of keeping the Illini perfect on the day, defeating Alex Lambropouis of Kentucky, 10-6, before coming up short against Henrik Lilja of Armstrong State, 10-8.
In doubles action, Spicijaric teamed with Davis to top Lambropouis and Collins of Kentucky, 8-5, before ending the day with a 2-0 record after downing Bishop and Lilja of Armstrong State, 8-6.
Illinois continues action tomorrow with two matches of singles and doubles, followed by one match of singles and doubles on Sunday, Oct. 8.
For tournament results, scores and draws, visit fightingillini.com after the conclusion of play.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Day 1: Friday, Oct. 6
Singles
Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Shane Collins (Kentucky), 10-1
Billy Heiser (ILL) def. Kyle Virgin (Kentucky), 10-3
Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Alex Lambropouis (Kentucky), 10-6
Marc Spicijaric def Paul Bishop (Armstrong State), 10-9
Billy Heiser def Robert Jendelund (Armstrong State), 10-7
Henrik Lilja (Armstrong State) def. Brandon Davis (ILL), 10-8
Doubles
Spicijaric/Davis (ILL) def. Lambropouis/Collins (Kentucky), 8-5
Spicijaric/Davis (ILL) def. Bishop/Lilja, 8-6
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
The IMG Academy has hosted college programs in the past, and is known worldwide for being the training spots for top tennis athletes like Maria Sharapova, Nicole Vaidisova and Tommy Haas, but this event will be the first to bring together six teams from around the country for a collegiate team event. Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas A&M will all be in attendance.
The event will start with round robin play, and the team format will have three singles matches and a doubles match, with each team playing five matches over three days. Scoring will be 10-game pro sets in singles and 8-game pro sets in doubles
TOURNAMENT SCORING FORMAT:
1) Three singles pro-sets to 10 games, no-add scoring and tiebreaker at 9-9.
2) Followed by one Doubles pro-set to 8 games, no-add scoring and tiebreaker at 7-7.
3) Team with most 'cumulative' games win.
4) Doubles team must 'win out'. For example, if the team that is leading the contest after the singles sets loses the doubles set, play continues until either the leading team wins a game or the cumulative games becomes even. In that case, a match tiebreaker (12 points) decides the winner.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
Pool A
Illinois
Florida 'A'
Kentucky
Armstrong St
Pool B
A & M
UNC
Florida 'B'
Georgetown
SATURDAY
9:00 a.m. (EST)
Illinois vs. Florida (A) (9)
Kentucky vs. Armstrong St (10)
11:00 a.m. (EST)
A & M vs. UNC (11)
Florida (B) vs. Georgetown (12)
2:00 p.m. (EST)
Winner Pool A vs. Runner-up Pool B (13)
Runner-up Pool A vs. Winner Pool B (14)
4:00 p.m. (EST)
3rd place Pool A vs. 4th place Pool B (15)
4th place Pool A vs. 3rd place Pool B (16)
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m.(EST)
Winner Match 13 vs. Winner Match 14
Runner-up Match 13 vs. Runner-up Match 14
9:00 a.m. (EST)
Winner Match 15 vs. Winner Match 16
Runner-up Match 15 vs. Runner-up Match 16
