University of Illinois
Michigan
No. 17 Illinois Topples No. 14 Michigan, 5-2
April 6, 2008 | Men's Tennis
April 6, 2008
Urbana, Ill. - The No. 17 Illinois men's tennis team sailed to an impressive 5-2 victory today over the No. 14 Michigan Wolverines at the Atkins Tennis Center. The win for the Orange and Blue snaps Michigan's ten match winning streak and improves the Illini's record to 13-6 overall and 5-1 in the Big Ten.
"Today's match was a great conference win for us," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We have to win our conference matches, and while we struggled at Wisconsin last weekend, we got back on track with the two wins this weekend over Penn State and Michigan and now look forward to more conference action next weekend at home."
The Illini sailed to an early 1-0 lead after clinching the doubles point behind the stellar play of the No. 1 and No. 2 tandems. The Illini duo of senior Ruben Gonzales and junior Marc Spicijaric quickly polished off the No. 34-ranked Wolverine tandem of Matko Maravic and George Navas, 8-4. It was another victory for the Illini at No. 1 doubles as the No.29-ranked duo of Billy Heiser and Ryan Rowe took care of business, knocking off No. 14 ranked Mike Srocynski and Jason Jung, 8-4. The intense Illini crowd then focused on No. 3 doubles where the Illini duo of Brandon Davis and Waylon Chin battled against the Michigan pairing of Andrew Mazlin and Chris Madden on court three. However, the Illini could not overcome the Wolverines falling 8-7 (3).
In singles action, junior Marc Spicijaric rolled by Mike Srocynski in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, to give the Illini a 2-0 lead. No. 12-ranked senior Ryan Rowe continued his winning ways, easily taking care of No.52 Matko Maravic in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) at No. 1 singles.
With a 3-0 lead, the Orange and Blue once again turned to the young play of freshman Waylon Chin at No. 5 singles. Chin cruised through a 6-3 first set over Peter Aarts, then struggled through the second set falling behind 1-6. The young freshman regrouped and came back firing on all cylinders to clinch the match for the Illini, winning the third set with a 6-1 decision. It was the second time in as many days that the freshman Chin clinched with victory for the Fighting Illini.
Senior Ruben Gonzales' impressive play this season continued this afternoon at No. 2 singles. Gonzales' strong play was too much for Michigan's Jason Jung, with Gonzales taking the match in straight sets 7-5, 6-1.
The Illini are back in conference action next weekend at the Atkins Tennis Center as they host No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, April 12 and No. 39 Indiana on Sunday, April 13. First serve for both matches is set for 12 p.m. CT. Complete results and recaps can be found at fightingillini.com at the conclusion of each match.
Match Notes
No. 14 Michigan vs. No. 17 University of Illinois
4/6/2008 at Urbana, Ill.
#17 University of Illinois 5, #14 Michigan 2
Singles competition
1. #12 Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. #52 Matko Maravic (MICH) 6-2, 6-4
2. #90 Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Jason Jung (MICH) 7-5, 6-1
3. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Mike Srocynski (MICH) 6-3, 6-2
4. Andrew Mazlin (MICH) def. #94 Billy Heiser (ILL) 6-4, 7-5
5. Waylon Chin (ILL) def. Peter Aarts (MICH) 6-3, 1-6, 6-1
6. Chris Madden (MICH) def. Brandon Davis (ILL) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8)
Doubles competition
1. #29 Billy Heiser/Ryan Rowe (ILL) def. #14 Mike Srocynski/Jason Jung
(MICH) 8-4
2. Ruben Gonzales/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. #34 Matko Maravic/George Navas (MICH) 8-4
3. Andrew Mazlin/Chris Madden (MICH) def. Waylon Chin/Brandon Davis (ILL) 8-7 (7-3)
Match Notes:
Michigan 16-3, 7-1; National ranking #14
University of Illinois 13-6, 5-1; National ranking #17
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,1,5,6,4,2)
University of Illinois vs. Michigan
April 6, 2008
Atkins Tennis Center
Urbana, Ill.
A-435
