April 11, 2009
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. - The No. 11 Illinois men's tennis team won its ninth straight match at home, sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions, 7-0, at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex in Urbana, this afternoon. With the win, the Illini improve to 18-5 overall and 7-0 in the Big Ten. Sunday's home match against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (24-1, 7-0) at 12 p.m. will be a showdown for sole possession of first place in the conference.
"Overall, for the majority we were able to close out our matches in doubles and singles today," Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said. "On four courts in singles we played the way we are capable of from a concentration standpoint, but we need to work on getting that high concentration level set on every court. The weather forecast tomorrow should be similar conditions to today and from our match against Kentucky earlier in the week. We have to use that to our advantage tomorrow against Ohio State."
In doubles, the Orange and Blue came out focused taking wins at Nos. 1 and 2 to clinch the early 1-0 lead. The No. 49-ranked Illini duo of Marek Czerwinski and Marc Spicijaric knocked off Penn State's Adam Slagter and Jason Lee on court one, 8-4. While the 18th-ranked Illinois tandem of freshmen Dennis Nevolo and Ruan Roelofse sealed the early lead for the Illini as they defeated the Nittany Lions, Guilaume St.-Maurice and Brendan Lynch, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, the Illini pair of Brian Livingston and Waylon Chin could not find their rhythm falling 8-4 to Penn State's Ryan Gormley and Eddie Bourchier.
The Illini started off singles with first set wins on all six courts. Sophomore Abe Souza wasted no time downing Penn State's Ryan Gormley at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-0, giving Illinois a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Roy Kalmanovich was next up for the Orange and Blue at No. 3 singles. The 42nd-ranked Kalmanovich swiftly defeated Penn State's Jason Lee, 6-1, 6-1 for the straight set victory. Less than five minutes later, senior Marc Spicijaric, ranked No. 79 in the latest Campbell's Soup Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, clinched the match for Illinois with a 6-0, 6-1 decision at No. 1 singles. The Illini senior has hit his stride as of late, winning four out of his last five matches.
Freshman Dennis Nevolo tallied another Illini victory at No. 2 singles. The 39th-ranked Nevolo was on fire, bageling his opponent Adam Slagter (PSU) in the first set, then taking a 6-2 victory in the second set for the win.
At Nos. 4 and 5 singles, the Illini battled to three-set wins as sophomore Waylon Chin and junior Marek Czerwinski put the polishing touches on the Illini sweep with victories on their respective courts.
Illinois will honor seniors Marc Spicijaric and Brian Livingston at their final regular-season home match on Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m. CT against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Live scoring will be available at fightingillini.com.
Match Results
Penn State vs. University of Illinois
4/11/2009 at Urbana, Ill.
(Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex)
#11 University of Illinois 7, #61 Penn State 0
Singles competition
1. #79 Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Brendan Lynch (PSU) 6-0, 6-1
2. #39 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Adam Slagter (PSU) 6-0, 6-2
3. #42 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Jason Lee (PSU) 6-1, 6-1
4. Waylon Chin (ILL) def. Eddie Bourchier (PSU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-6
5. Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. Guilaume St.-Maurice (PSU) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8
6. Abe Souza (ILL) def. Ryan Gormley (PSU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #49 Marek Czerwinski/Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Adam Slagter/Jason Lee (PSU) 8-4
2. #18 Dennis Nevolo/Ruan Roelofse (ILL) def. Guilaume St.-Maurice/Brendan Lynch (PSU) 8-5
3. Ryan Gormley/Eddie Bourchier (PSU) def. Waylon Chin/Brian Livingston (ILL) 8-4
Match Notes:
Penn State 10-10, 3-4; National ranking #61
University of Illinois 18-5, 7-0; National ranking #11
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,3,1,2,4,5)
