April 23, 2010

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - The 14th-ranked Illini men's tennis (16-9, 8-1 Big Ten) improved to 10-2 at home this season with a 5-2 victory over Michigan (11-9, 7-2) Friday afternoon at Atkins Tennis Center. With the win, Illinois gains sole possession of second place in the Big Ten with one match remaining on Sunday against Michigan State.

"There was good energy in doubles tonight," head coach Brad Dancer said. "One of our themes this year has been staying power and constant pressure. We lost it at No. 3 doubles, and in singles, Nos. 2, 4 and 6 had poor starts, but I'm proud of them for getting back in it. They were able to find solutions. That's the essence of the challenge. The key for us will be doing that across the board."

The Illini got off to a strong start in doubles, highlighted by a pair of wins over ranked foes as junior Johnny Hamui and sophomore Dennis Nevolo topped No. 58 George Navas and Mike Sroczynski, 8-3, and senior Marek Czerwinski and junior Abe Souza defeated No. 40 Jason Jung and Evan King, 8-5.

Singles proved to be a much tougher battle for the Illini, however, as five of the six matches went three sets. The lone two-set match of the day was won by No. 79 Souza, which was his team-and career-best 30th victory of the season. It was not as easy for the rest of the Orange and Blue, however, as Illinois was forced to rally back after falling behind after the first set in three of the five remaining matches. But rally back they did, as Roth held on to defeat Cha, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, and Hamui followed shortly after to clinch the win with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Navas. No. 46 Nevolo added an additional win at the No. 2 spot, as he overcame an early deficit to top No. 123 King, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

The Illini close out the regular season on Sunday against Michigan State at noon at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. Seniors Marek Czerwinski and Meedo El Tabakh will be recognized prior to the start of the match for their achievements the past two seasons at Illinois.

Match Results
#14 Illinois 5, #26 Michigan 2

Singles competition
1. #33 Jason Jung (UM) def. #66 Marek Czerwinski (ILL) 4-6, 6-2, 6-4
2. #46 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. #123 Evan King (UM) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
3. #79 Abe Souza (ILL) def. Mike Sroczynski (UM) 6-1, 6-4
4. Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. George Navas (UM) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Chris Madden (UM) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4
6. Connor Roth (ILL) def. Chris Cha (UM) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Abe Souza/Marek Czerwinski (ILL) def. #40 Jason Jung/Evan King (UM) 8-5
2. Johnny Hamui/Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. #58 George Navas/Mike Sroczynski (UM) 8-3
3. Chris Madden/Chris Cha (UM) def. Connor Roth/Stephen Hoh (ILL) 8-7 (7-3)

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,6,4,2,5,1)