March 30, 2008

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. - The No. 16 Illinois men's tennis team had the momentum from the get-go with leads in doubles and singles, but the strength of home-court advantage and a well-prepared Wisconsin Badger team proved the difference as the Illini dropped a close 5-2 match in Madison today for their first Big Ten loss of the year. The Illini (10-6, 3-1 Big Ten) drop their first regular-season league match since April 21, 2007, while the Badgers (12-6, 4-1 Big Ten) improved to 8-0 at home.

"Today's match was very disappointing for the entire team," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Third doubles continues to be an issue we are addressing as a team, but as a whole not being able to close out the doubles point with leads really hurt us. I think that today's key turning point for Wisconsin was how well Nolan Polley played and was able to win against Gonzales, which won them the match right there. They had the momentum after that and were able to close out the win."

The Illini looked in top form in the early goings of the match with a win by No. 22-ranked Ryan Rowe and Billy Heiser on court one, 8-3, over Moritz Baumann and Nolan Polley (UW), and had leads on the remaining two courts. For Rowe and Heiser (ILL), they extended their winning streak to six and claimed their 19th victory of the year. However, the effort was not enough as the Badgers turned the tides with a break of serve at three doubles en route to claiming the contest, 8-5. Wisconsin then solidified the doubles point and a 1-0 lead with a win on court two, 8-6.

Then in singles, the Badgers were first to strike as they hit the scoreboard with a straight sets win on court six before junior Marc Spicijaric (ILL) eyed a crucial win over Jeremy Sonkin (UW), 6-3, 6-4, at No. 4 singles to make the score, 2-1, Wisconsin. Yet, the Badgers were in the hunt for the upset as they moved a win away at 3-1, as Illinois suffered another setback on court three.

Senior Ruben Gonzales (ILL), playing at No. 2 singles, kept the Illini in the mix for win the entire day, but had his efforts fall just one shot short of closing out No. 99 Nolan Polley (UW) in straights, with the Badger forcing a third set. Then, with the match anyone's for the taking, Polley (UW) had the momentum as he registered the 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory, handing Illinois the dual loss and Wisconsin's highest upset of the year.

Illinois then finished out the afternoon by splitting the final two matches on court, with Rowe (ILL) prevailing at No. 1 singles over No. 44 Baumann (UW) in a tight three-setter, 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3, and Wisconsin taking the match on court five to make the final score 5-2, in favor of the Badgers.

"As a team we cannot mess around with this loss and dwell on it," Dancer said. "We still have an entire season ahead of us. Now we have to head home and prepare for a good Kentucky team on Wednesday and then Michigan and Pen State next weekend."

Illinois now continues its road battles as it travels to Lexington, Ky., to take on Kentucky on Wednesday, April 2 at 2 p.m. CT before returning home next weekend. It then will host Big Ten foes No. 14 Michigan on Saturday, April 5, followed by Penn State on Sunday, April 6. According to the original schedule published earlier this year, Illinois was supposed to face Penn State on Saturday and Michigan on Sunday, but that schedule has changed to the current order of play. Both matches are scheduled for noon starts at the Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana and, should weather permit, will be played outdoors.

#45 UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN 5, #16 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 2
3/30/2008 AT MADISON, WIS. (NIELSEN TENNIS STADIUM)

Singles competition
1. #9 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. #44 Moritz Baumann (UW) - 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-3
2. #99 Nolan Polley (UW) def. #80 Ruben Gonzales (ILL) - 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
3. #120 Marek Michalicka (UW) def. #76 Billy Heiser (ILL) - 6-4, 6-2
4. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Jeremy Sonkin (UW) - 6-3, 6-4
5. Luke Rassow-Kantor (UW) def. Waylon Chin (ILL) - 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4)
6. Michael Dierberger (UW) def. Brandon Davis (ILL) - 6-2, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. #22 Billy Heiser / Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. Moritz Baumann / Nolan Polley (UW) - 8-3
2. Michael Dierberger / Luke Rassow-Kantor (UW) def. #32 Brandon Davis / Ruben Gonzales (ILL) - 8-6
3. Jeremy Sonkin / Marek Michalicka (UW) def. Marc Spicijaric / Connor Roth (ILL) - 8-5

Match Notes
University of Illinois 10-6, 3-1 Big Ten, National Ranking - 16
University of Wisconsin 12-7, 4-1 Big Ten, National Ranking - 45
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 3, 2); Singles (6, 4, 3, 2, 1, 5)