Feb. 15, 2009
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
Updated 2009 ITA Bracket in PDF Format 
CHICAGO, Ill. - The No. 13 Illinois men's tennis team got back on track today with a thrilling 4-3 win over the No. 12 Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at the ITA National Men's Team Indoor Championships at the Midtown Tennis Club in Chicago on Saturday night. The Illini won the doubles point with solid wins at Nos. 2 and 3, but it was the impressive play at singles that sealed the victory.
With the win, the Illini improve to 6-3 on the year, while the Golden Hurricanes drop to 9-3 on the season. The Illini will face No. 10 Baylor in a consolation final at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
For the second match in a row, the Illini took the pivotal doubles point with victories at Nos. 2 and 3 doubles. The upperclassmen Illini tandem of senior Marc Spicijaric and junior Marek Czerwinski dominated the Tulsa duo of Alberto Sottocorno and Ashley Watling, 8-3, at No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, the Illini pair of freshman Dennis Nevolo and senior Brian Livingston gave the Illini an early 1-0 lead with an impressive 8-4 victory over Tulsa's Ross Cunningham and Victor Kolik.
In singles, Tulsa got on the board first with a win at No. 1. The Illini struck back as junior Meedo El Tabakh swiftly knocked off Tulsa's Ross Cunningham at No. 6 singles in a straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, victory.
The Hurricane's took a 3-2 lead as they notched wins at Nos. 5 and 4 respectively. The Illini countered back as No.23-ranked sophomore Roy Kalmanovich ousted Tulsa's No.91-ranked Phillip Stephens 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in a grueling straight sets victory.
With the match on the line, the Illini once again turned to senior Marc Spicijaric to pull them through. The veteran leader lived up to his nickname of "Mr. Clutch" as the Wesley Chapel, Fla., native grinded out a three-set victory at No. 2 singles. The 101-ranked Spicijaric bounced back from dropping his first set, 3-6, to take the second set 7-5. In the third and final set, Spicijaric played with the heart of a champion, ousting Kolik 6-3 for the Illini victory.
The Illini wrap up the 2009 ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Sunday, Feb. 15, when they face No. 10 Baylor at 3 p.m. at the Midtown Tennis Club in Chicago. Live scoring will be available at fightingillini.com and a full recap also will be available at the conclusion of play.
ITA Men's National Team Indoor Championships - Consolation Round
#13 University of Illinois 4, #12 University of Tulsa 3
2/14/2009 at Chicago (Midtown Tennis Club)
Singles competition
1. #10 Arnau Brugues (TUL) def. #41 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) 6-2, 6-1
2. #101 Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Victor Kolik (TUL) 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
3. #23 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. #91 Phillip Stephens (TUL) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3)
4. Alberto Sottocorno (TUL) def. Marek Czerwinski (ILL) 7-5, 6-4
5. Ashley Watling (TUL) def. Billy Heiser (ILL) 6-1, 6-4
6. Meedo El Tabakh (ILL) def. Ross Cunningham (TUL) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. #36 Billy Heiser/Ruan Roelofse (ILL) vs. #4 Arnau Brugues/Phillip Stephens (TUL) 7-8, unfinished
2. Marc Spicijaric/Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. Alberto Sottocorno/Ashley Watling (TUL) 8-3
3. Dennis Nevolo/Brian Livingston (ILL) def. Ross Cunningham/Victor Kolik (TUL) 8-4
Match Notes:
University of Tulsa 9-3; National ranking #12
University of Illinois 6-3; National ranking #13
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,6,5,4,3,2)
