No. 16 Illini Hold Off No. 12 Kentucky, 4-3

Men's Tennis February 11, 2011

No. 16 Illini Hold Off No. 12 Kentucky, 4-3

Feb. 11, 2011

URBANA, Ill. - For the sixth time in the last 10 matches between Illinois and Kentucky, the match was decided by one point. This time around it was the 16th-ranked Illini (4-2) on the winning end, as they outlasted the No. 12 Wildcats (6-2), 4-3, Friday night at Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois captured the doubles point for the first time this season, which proved to be the difference in the match.

"There was a lot of tension in this match tonight," head coach Brad Dancer said. "I think the nerves and anxiety were high. Our guys understood the value of this match. We came through on enough courts, including the doubles point, which was obviously a big factor tonight. I think Kentucky's a great team, but I think we can play better than we did tonight."

Kentucky claimed the first doubles match at the No. 1 spot, before senior Connor Roth and sophomore Stephen Hoh held off a late Wildcat rally to claim their fourth win of the season with an 8-6 defeat of Tom Jomby and Alberto Gonzalez. On court three, junior Dennis Nevolo and sophomore Bruno Abdelnour finally broke Alex Musialek and Anthony Rossi at six-all and went on to secure the point with an 8-6 win.

The Wildcats struck first again at No. 1 singles, but No. 111 senior Johnny Hamui quickly responded at the three spot to give Illinois a 2-1 advantage with a straight sets victory over Brad Cox, 6-3, 6-4. Junior Roy Kalmanovich extended the lead to 3-1 with his first win of the season over a nationally ranked opponent, as he defeated No. 72 Alberto Gonzalez, 7-6 (5), 6-4 to pull the Illini within one point of the match. In one of the biggest battles of the night, No. 121 senior Abe Souza completed the upset with one of the most exciting matches of the night, as he topped No. 39 Musialek, 6-4, 6-4, to clinch the win for the Illini.

Illinois is back in action tomorrow night for its final home match of the month against No. 7 Florida at 6 p.m. at Atkins Tennis Center.

Match Results
#16 Illinois 4, #12 Kentucky 3

Singles competition
1. #2 Eric Quigley (UK) def. #11 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
2. #121 Abe Souza (ILL) def. #39 Alex Musialek (UK) 6-4, 6-4
3. #111 Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Brad Cox (UK) 6-3, 6-4
4. Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. #72 Alberto Gonzalez (UK) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
5. Anthony Rossi (UK) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
6. Tom Jomby (UK) def. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-3)

Doubles competition
1. Eric Quigley/Brad Cox (UK) def. Abe Souza/Johnny Hamui (ILL) 8-5
2. Connor Roth/Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Tom Jomby/Alberto Gonzalez (UK) 8-6
3. Bruno Abdelnour/Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Alex Musialek/Anthony Rossi (UK) 8-6