April 23, 2006
URBANA, Ill. -
The fifth-ranked Illinois men's tennis team concluded the regular season with a 7-0 victory over Iowa on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Illini seniors Pramod Dabir and Ryler DeHeart were recognized shortly after the duo dominated their match at No. 1 doubles, and after the ceremony they continued the dominance that Illinois fans have become accustomed to in singles as well. The win is No. 109 for the 2006 graduating class, six shy of tying the record for the most all-time wins, set by the class of 2005. Illinois' record stands at 20-5 and 9-1 in the Big Ten.
"I was happy to see both those guys get victories, especially together at No. 1 doubles on the final day," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We are not looking forward to the days without Ryler and Pramod on this team, but we'll have others guys step up. With Chris Martin leaving, we knew we were going to have a void in terms of leadership, but those two have stepped up and taken control of this team. They are very focused on winning the national championships but we have a lot of tennis left to play."
The Illini notched the doubles point for the 20th time this season after sweeping all three spots. Ryan Rowe and Marc Spicijaric led the Illini charge with an 8-1 dismantling of Christian Bierich and Aaron Schaechterle at No. 3. The 12th-ranked senior duo of Dabir and DeHeart shortly followed with an 8-3 defeat of Bart van Monsjou and J.P. Ritchie at the top spot before Brandon Davis and GD Jones added downed Brett Taylor and Kyle Markham.
The Illini picked up right were they left off in singles taking all six first sets. Spicijaric improved to 7-2 in Big Ten dual matches after beating Markham 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5. Anderson made it 3-0 after his 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Ritchie at No. 3.
Davis, a sophomore from Austin, Texas, picked up his first career dual match victory with a match-clinching 6-4, 6-1 win over Schaechterle at No. 6.
Dabir split his first two sets, but pulled through in the super tiebreaker to win his final home match 6-1, (2) 6-7, 1-0 (8). Nearly at the same time, DeHeart notched his eight Big Ten win to remain unbeaten in the conference with a 6-3, 6-3 win over van Monsjou at the No. 1 position. Rowe defeated Bierich 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 to also keep his conference record unblemished and to complete the Illini's ninth shutout of the year.
Illinois next travels to Minneapolis where the University of Minnesota will host the 2006 Big Ten Tournament April 27-30.
No. 5 ILLINOIS 7, Iowa 0
April 23, 2006
Atkins Tennis Center
Urbana, Ill.
SINGLES:
1. No. 8 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) def. Bart van Monsjou (IOWA); 6-3, 6-3
2. No. 55 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Christian Bierich (IOWA); 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
3. No. 21 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. J.P. Ritchie (IOWA); 6-2, 6-3
4. Pramod Dabir (ILL) def. Brett Taylor (IOWA); 6-1, (2) 6-7, 1-0 (8)
5. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Kyle Markham (IOWA); 6-2, 6-2
6. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Aaron Schaechterle (IOWA); 6-4, 6-1
Order of finish: 5, 3, 6, 4, 1, 2
DOUBLES:
1. No. 12 Dabir/DeHeart (ILL) def. van Monsjou/Ritchie (IOWA); 8-3
2. Davis/Jones (ILL) def. Taylor/Markham (IOWA); 8-4
3. Rowe/Spicijaric (ILL) def. Bierich/Schaechterle (IOWA); 8-1
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
