Jan. 18, 2008

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The 2007 NCAA finalist Illinois men's tennis team kicked off the season today with a 7-0 victory over the visiting Ball State Cardinals at the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini came out a little rusty in the early goings of doubles, but settled into the match behind a boisterous home crowd to open the dual season with a win and extend its home-match winning streak to 15.

"It's important to start off the season with a win," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Every match for us is another step towards improvement. Right now as a team, we have guys who were injured and are making their way back, and then young guys who are gaining experience with every match. It is just going to be a matter of how much we continue to improve with every match as the season goes along."

One of the staples of the Illini lineup is its doubles, and fans were not be disappointed tonight with a trio of exciting matches. The Illini opened the night with seniors Ryan Rowe and Ruben Gonzales the first duo to the finish line, taking down Jose Perdomo and Eduardo Pavia (BSU), 8-4. After tallying an early break to go up 5-3 on court one, the senior pair put the finishing touches on the contest with overpowering serves to give the Illini the lead in doubles. Then on court three, the duo of freshman Waylon Chin and junior Marc Spicijaric wrapped up the point for the Illini, as they tallied an 8-6 victory over Jorge Rodriguez and Danny Vidal (BSU). Senior Brandon Davis and sophomore Billy Heiser closed the door on the doubles sweep, trading service holds with Joe Vallee and Shaun Bassert (BSU) for the entire match. However in the heat of the final points, the Orange and Blue tandem ran away with the win, 7-3 in the tiebreak, to notch the 9-8(3) victory.

From there, Illinois continued with business as usual, as Davis (ILL) rolled through Rodriguez (BSU) at No. 5 singles in the opening frame, bageling the Cardinal, 6-0. At four singles, Spicijaric was not far behind as he was firing on all cylinders in the first set, 6-2, over Vallee (BSU). From there the two Illini became racehorses down the stretch, with Spicijaric (ILL) tossing in an unreturnable serve to put the final dagger in 6-2, 6-4 win. Then just minutes later, Davis (ILL) served and volleyed his way into a season-opening dual win, polishing off the second set, 6-1.

Gonzalez (ILL) came through at No. 1 doubles to clinch the night's victory for Illinois. After a close opening frame, the Terre Haute, Ind., native claimed a narrow win in the tiebreak, 7-6(8), over Perdomo (BSU). In the second set, Gonzales (ILL) down the stretch led 5-4 and was hungry for a service break with the score at 15-40. Perdomo, however, fended off four match points before the fiery Illini converted on the fifth to seal the frame, 6-3.

Rounding out the Illini wins on the night were Chin (ILL) closing out his first collegiate duals match with a win over Jimmy Brannon (BSU) 6-4, 7-6(6) at No. 6 singles. Rowe and Heiser then helped Illinois clean house in the match, as they tabbed victories at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Rowe downed Pavia (BSU) 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-2 in the super tiebreak, while Heiser upended Berryman (BSU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

"I hope the fans are really excited to come out and see No. 1 Virginia," Dancer said. "It will be a super test for us early in the season. When we packed this place the last time Virginia was here, it was deafening, and it was one of the most amazing experiences. They are heavily favored to win the NCAA tournament this year and maybe we can be the first road block for them this year."

Illinois returns to action next Friday, Jan. 25, when they take on top-ranked Virginia in its first true test of the season. The last time the Cavaliers rolled into town, they brought with them a No. 1-ranking before the Illini scored a 5-2 upset at the Atkins Tennis Center.

This season, fans are encouraged to come root on their Illini to yet another victory, helping the Orange and Blue to once again defend their home court against the Cavaliers. First serve is slated for 6 p.m

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 7, BALL STATE UNIVERSITY 0
1/18/2008 AT URBANA, ILL. (ATKINS TENNIS CENTER)

Singles competition
1. Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Jose Perdomo (BSU), 7-6(8), 6-3
2. Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Eduardo Pavia (BSU), 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-2
3. Billy Heiser (ILL) def. Brett Berryman (BSU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Joe Vallee (BSU), 6-2, 6-4
5. Brandon Davis (ILL) def. Jorge Rodriguez (BSU), 6-0, 6-1
6. Waylon Chin (ILL) def. Jimmy Brannon (BSU), 6-4, 7-6(6)

Doubles competition
1. Ryan Rowe/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Jose Perdomo/Eduardo Pavia (BSU), 8-4
2. Brandon Davis/Billy Heiser (ILL) def. Joe Vallee/Shaun Bassert (BSU), 9-8(3)
3. Waylon Chin/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Jorge Rodriguez/Danny Vidal (BSU), 8-6

Match NotesM
University of Illinois 1-0, 0-0 Big Ten
Ball State University 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (4, 5, 1, 6, 2, 3)