April 17, 2011

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 17th-ranked Illini men's tennis team (14-8, 6-2 Big Ten) was victorious in its final road match of the regular season Sunday afternoon, as it defeated Michigan State (16-8, 2-7), 5-2, for its fourth straight win. Sophomore KU Singh clinched the victory for the second straight match to earn his second Big Ten win of the year.

"I'm really pleased with the guys overall for the weekend," head coach Brad Dancer said. "They battled their tails off on the road which isn't always easy to do. It really was the weekend of the seniors, Johnny (Hamui) and Abe (Souza). They led the way and showed great mental toughness and set the tone for the rest of the team. KU (Singh), Dennis (Nevolo) and Roy (Kalmanovich) made great adjustments along the way from yesterday's match so that was great see."

After falling behind 1-0 after doubles, the Illini took control right from the start in singles and never looked back. Eleventh-ranked Nevolo downed Denis Bogatov, 6-0, 6-4, for his team-best 24th win of the year, while No. 72 Souza swept Drew Lied, 6-3, 6-3, to collect his 21st victory and fourth straight, and No. 119 Hamui topped Ronnie Hulewicz, 6-1, 6-4, and claimed his 14th win of the year.

Singh provided the clincher after rallying past Aaron Pfister, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2, and junior Roy Kalmanovich finished out the afternoon with a come-from-behind win of his own, as he defeated Austin Brooks, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, for his 13th win.

Illinois will conclude the regular season at home next weekend, beginning with No. 24 Minnesota on Friday at 3 p.m. at Atkins Tennis Center.

Match Results
#17 Illinois 5, #57 Michigan State 2

Singles competition
1. #11 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Denis Bogatov (MSU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Austin Brooks (MSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
3. KU Singh (ILL) def. Aaron Pfister (MSU) 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 6-2
4. #119 Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. Ronnie Hulewicz (MSU) 6-1, 6-4
5. John Stratton (MSU) def. Stephen Hoh (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5)
6. #72 Abe Souza (ILL) def. Drew Lied (MSU) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Drew Lied/John Stratton (MSU) def. #75 Johnny Hamui/Abe Souza (ILL) 9-7
2. Aaron Pfister/Austin Brooks (MSU) def. Stephen Hoh/KU Singh (ILL) 8-5
3. Brian Alden/Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. Mat Nelson/Jason Norville (MSU) 8-5

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