March 2, 2007
Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 7 Illinois men's tennis team opened Big Ten play in top form, dominating Michigan State on the road, 7-0, on Friday evening at the MSU Indoor Tennis Facility. The Illini were sharp in all facets of the game, winning without losing a singles or doubles match.
"It is always great to return home to my alma mater and play against Coach [Gene] Orlando," head coach Brad Dancer said. "I am very proud of the guys, showing resiliency tonight to get a good win on the road. Brandon Davis did a great job of teaming with Ruben Gonzales in doubles to help set the tone, and then took care of business in singles."
Illinois improved to 8-3 on the season and 1-0 in Big Ten, while Michigan State dropped to 6-7, 0-3 in league action.
The Spartans, despite the score, were able to trouble the Illini throughout the night, but it was Illinois who would have the last word in the Orange and Blue's league opener.
Setting the tone for the night, the No. 2 doubles team of Michael Flowers and Alex Forger (MSU) became the first Illini victims, falling to Ruben Gonzales and Brandon Davis (ILL), 8-4. G.D. Jones and Marc Spicijaric (ILL) followed the win with an 8-6 victory over the No. 3 duo of John Allare and Tyler Sauerbrey (MSU). In the third and final doubles contest, the No. 1 team of Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe handed the duo of Nick Rinks and Adam Monich (MSU) their first conference doubles loss of the season, 8-6.
With the doubles point in the bag, Illinois continued to hold the edge over Michigan State for the rest of the season.
While MSU looked to be challenging in a number of matches, it fell short against six strong Illini singles players. Illinois' Davis posted the first defeat over Sauerbrey (MSU), 6-1, 6-1, at No. 6, while Jones (ILL) won against No. 5 Norville (MSU), 6-2, 6-0. No. 1 Spartan singles player Rinks lost his first conference match of the season to Anderson (ILL), 6-4, 6-4, sealing the dual-match victory for Illinois.
Illinois returns to action when it travels to West Lafayette, Ind., on March 9, to take on Purdue.
Tennis Match Results
at East Lansing
#7 Illinois 7, Michigan State 0
Singles competition:
1. #6 Kevin Anderson (ILL) def. #46 Nick Rinks (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
2. #10 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Alex Forger (MSU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
3. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Adam Monich (MSU) 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 10-6
4. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. John Allare (MSU) 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
5. GD Jones (ILL) def. Jason Norville (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
6. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Tyler Sauerbrey (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles competition:
1. Kevin Anderson/Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Adam Monich/Nick Rinks (MSU) 8-6
2. Brandon Davis/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Alex Forger/Michael Flowers (MSU) 8-4
3. GD Jones/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. John Allare/Tyler Sauerbrey (MSU) 8-6
Match Notes:
Illinois 8-3, 0-1; National ranking #7
Michigan State University 6-7, 0-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (6, 5, 1, 4, 3, 2)
