FLUSHING, N.Y. - Illini junior Jared Hiltzik struggled to get things going Thursday morning in the inaugural American Collegiate Invitational dropping straight sets to Clay Thompson, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the eight-player field.

"The conditions were a lot faster then I was expecting," Hiltzik said. "Probably poor preparation on my part, I really never got into the match too much."

Thompson, who currently plays for UCLA, finished the 2013-14 season at No. 2 in the national singles rankings, 10 spots ahead of Hiltzik.

"With his serve it puts a lot of pressure on you to do every shot perfect," Hiltzik said. "He comes to the net well and he's just a tough opponent for me to play against."

As the alternate selection, Hiltzik got the last minute call to participate in the event replacing Mitchell Frank from the University of Virginia.

"I was super excited," Hiltzik said. "I told them yes right away, it was a great opportunity. I kind of blew it today but life goes on."

Hiltzik will join the Illini for the fall tournament schedule, which begins on Sept. 19 with the eighth annual Olympia Fields Country Club Fighting Illini Invitational.