Oct. 29, 2007

Complete Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Freshmen Connor Roth and Abe Souza completed a successful weekend in Tuscaloosa, Ala., at the Crimson Tide Fall Tennis Invitational this past weekend. After a slow start, both Illini netters rebounded to win two straight and make appearances in the singles consolation brackets of their respective brackets.

Roth opened the weekend with a loss to Yoann Re of Virginia Tech in a tough three-setter, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, in the Namath Bracket. Despite the setback, Roth did not let the match distract his concentration, as he went on to notch a win over Mehdi Benhammou of Radford in another marathon contest, 7-5, 1-6, 1-0(5), in his opening-round consolation match. From there, he received a bye in the consolation quarters before battling past Tyrone Ewels of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, 7-6(8), 6-4, in the semis. The Lisle, Ill., native's run ended in the consolation finals, as he dropped another tight match, 7-6(4), 6-3.

For Souza, his tournament started with a loss to Lee Singer of Virginia, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the Stalling Bracket. Like his underclassmen compatriot, Souza rebounded with a victory over Gera Boryachinsky of Clemson, 6-7(4), 7-6(1), 6-0, in the first round and received a bye in the quarters. In the semifinals, he continued his strong play, taking down Pete Necajevs of Mississippi State 7-5, 0-6, 7-5. Despite a solid run through consolation, Souza was unable to get past Jose Muguruza Georgia Tech, 6-0, 6-2.

Both Illini finished the tournament 2-2 in singles, while they joined together to post a 1-1 doubles ledger in the Red Doubles Bracket. The Illini tandem downed Scott Robertson and Steffen Soleman of Jacksonville State, 8-5, in the opening round before falling to Anze Cevka and Nejc Podkrajsek Georgia State in the quarters, 8-2.

Illinois will be back in action in a duo of tournaments this coming week as the fall schedule comes to a close for the Illini. Senior No. 9 -ranked Ryan Rowe will travel to the ITA National Indoor Championships Nov. 1-4 in Columbus, Ohio, to participate in a loaded field of the collegiate game's top 32 players, while senior Brandon Davis, sophomore Billy Heiser, Roth and Souza are schedule for action at the Florida State Invitational in Tallahassee, Fla., Nov. 1-4.