April 2, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 5 Illinois men's tennis team (13-5, 3-1) was defeated by No. 6 Ohio State (16-1, 4-0) 5-2 Sunday afternoon on the outdoor courts of the Stickney Tennis Center. The win was the Illini's first regular season conference loss in 86 straight matches dating back to 1997. The loss also ends a streak of 55 consecutive conference (regular and postseason) matches. The last Orange and Blue loss was a 4-2 decision to the Buckeyes in the 2001 Big Ten Tournament championship match. With the win, Ohio State extends its home win streak to 38 matches, which dates back to the 2003 season.

"Our guys were simply outperformed today," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Ohio State executed better than us and we didn't get a very good effort from the bottom of our lineup, which has been strong all year. We absolutely didn't want the streak to end but now it's time to start a new one."

The Illini lost the doubles point for the fifth time this season. The advantage has proved to be the difference-maker this season for the Orange and Blue as they have lost the doubles point in each of their five losses. Scott Green and Ross Wilson, ranked No. 2 in the nation, defeated 26th-ranked senior Ryler DeHeart and sophomore Ruben Gonzales 8-3 at the No. 1 doubles spot. The Buckeyes clinched the doubles point for the 17th time this season with an 8-4 win from Devin Mullings and Chris Klingermann over junior GD Jones and sophomore Ryan Rowe at No. 3. Sophomore Kevin Anderson and senior Pramod Dabir defeated Drew Eberly and Bryan Koniecko 8-5.

Rowe tied the match at one apiece as Steven Moneke had to retire in third game of the first set with an injury. DeHeart put the Illini up 2-1 with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Mullings at the No. 2 position, improving his record to a team best 28-5 and 14-3 in dual matches. Illini freshman Marc Spicijaric's streak of 12 straight dual match wins ended with a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Wilson at No. 6. Dennis Martens followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Gonzales at No. 5 to give OSU a 3-2 lead.

Klingemann got his fifth consecutive win with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Jones at the top spot to the clinch the Ohio State victory. Koniecko topped Anderson in the only three set match of the contest, winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 on court No. 3 to make the final margin 5-2.

Illinois returns to Atkins Tennis Center where they will host Coach Dancer's alma mater, Michigan State, on April 8. On April 9, the Illini welcome Michigan head coach Bruce Berque. Berque, in his second season with the Wolverines, served as an assistant on the Illini coaching staff for six years prior to his appointment at Michigan. Both matches are scheduled to begin at noon.

No. 6 Ohio State 5, No. 5 Illinois 2

Singles Results

1. Chris Klingemann (OSU) def. No. 41 GD Jones (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
2. No. 3 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. No. 76 Devin Mullings (OSU) 6-4, 6-1
3. No. 75 Bryan Koniecko (OSU) def. No. 17 Kevin Anderson (ILL) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
4. No. 82 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Steven Moneke (OSU) 1-1default (injury)
5. Dennis Mertens (OSU) def. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 6-2, 6-3
6. Ross Wilson (OSU) def. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) 6-3, 6-3

Order of Finish 2, 6, 5, 1, 3

Doubles Results

1. No. 2 Scott Green/Ross Wilson (OSU) def. Ryler DeHeart/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) 8-3
2. Kevin Anderson/Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Drew Eberly/Bryan Koniecko (OSU) 8-5
3. Devin Mullings/Chris Klingemann (OSU) def. GD Jones/Ryan Rowe (ILL) 8-4

Order of Finish 1, 3, 2