May 14, 2011
Box Score I 
Photo Gallery
URBANA, Ill. - With a thrilling 4-1 victory over 16th-seeded North Carolina (16-8) on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon, the Illinois men's tennis team (18-10) earned a spot in the round of 16 of the NCAA Championships for the ninth time in 10 years. The Illini will face top-seeded Virginia on Thursday, May 19 at 8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT at the Taube Tennis Center in Stanford, Calif.
Illinois once again gained the early momentum in doubles, as the decisive point came down to court three for the second match in a row. Sophomores Stephen Hoh and KU Singh took a 7-5 lead, before the Tar Heels stormed back to even the score and eventually forced a tiebreaker at eight-all. Down 3-0 in the breaker, the Illini rallied back to knot the score at three, before going on to claim the match, 9-8 (5).
"I think in doubles we still didn't play well, but we're playing harder and I think the guys should take away some confidence in that," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We really emphasized coming out with a different energy for doubles and I think we did that today."
No. 15 junior Dennis Nevolo made quick work on court one, as he downed No. 22 Jose Hernandez, 6-1, 6-2, for his team-best 27th win of the year and 14th over a nationally ranked opponent. Battles ensued on the remaining courts, before No. 81 senior Abe Souza collected the third team point with a two-set victory over Joey Burkhardt, 7-6 (2), 6-1. The win was Souza's 25th of the season, eighth straight and 99th of his career. He is now tied with Neil Adams for 12th all-time in most career singles wins.
Coming up with the clinching match for the Illini was No. 104 senior Johnny Hamui, who held off William Parker, 6-3, 6-4, for his 18th win of the year.
"In singles, every match was so unique," Dancer said. "Dennis kept his composure today and when he plays like that, that's what he's capable of doing. (Abe) Souza was masterful. It was definitely an Abe Souza match in that it takes awhile, takes awhile and once he gets a hold of you, you just want to quit. He's just such a strong competitor. Johnny had good control of his match all the way through and conquered some mental demons early on and came through for us."
Match Results
#17 Illinois 4, #18 North Carolina 1
Singles competition
1. #15 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) def. #22 Jose Hernandez (UNC) 6-1, 6-2
2. KU Singh (ILL) vs. #83 Brennan Boyajian (UNC) 6-3, 1-6, 5-4, unfinished
3. #122 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) vs. Stefan Hardy (UNC) 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 2-3, unfinished
4. #81 Abe Souza (ILL) def. Joey Burkhardt (UNC) 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
5. #104 Johnny Hamui (ILL) def. William Parker (UNC) 6-3, 6-4
6. Cameron Ahari (UNC) def. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) 6-2, 0-6, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #36 Joey Burkhardt/Stefan Hardy (UNC) def. #78 Johnny Hamui/Abe Souza (ILL) 8-6
2. Dennis Nevolo/Brian Alden (ILL) def. Cameron Ahari/Brennan Boyajian (UNC) 8-3
3. KU Singh/Stephen Hoh (ILL) def. Jose Hernandez/Zach Hunter (UNC) 9-8 (7-5)
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (1,6,4,5)
