Results

Results

URBANA, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team defeated Northwestern 5-2 Friday night inside Atkins. With the victory, the No. 6 Illini move to 9-2 on the season.

Illinois and the Wildcats played doubles under a one set, played to eight, format and the Illini fell behind early, falling in doubles on courts two and three. No. 11 Ross Guignon and Tim Kopinski took down Baev/Kirchheimer 8-3. However, Northwestern was able to claim the doubles point, as Horoz/Kumar defeated Blake Bazarnik and Brian Page 8-3 and Farris Gosea and Jared Hiltzik fell to Shropshire/Pasareanu 8-5.

"Northwestern came out and punched us in the face in doubles," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We looked shell shocked. Our doubles performance this year and especially the last two matches is not adequate. In singles, we had enough guys show up to get the victory. It was a great night for our freshmen. They led the charge in singles. Hats off to Shik (Toshiki), Aron, & Vuki (Vukic) for stepping up and putting points on the board."

The Illini responded in singles with four of their five victories coming in straight sets. Freshmen Toshiki Matsuya netted the Orange and Blue its first point of the night, defeating Alp Horoz in straight sets (6-2, 6-1) on court five. No. 69 Aron Hiltzik earned Illinois their second point on the evening by defeating Logan Staggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).

No. 37 Tim Kopinski dominated set one (6-1) and won a hard fought set two (6-3) to defeat #64 Strong Kirchheimer in straight sets. No. 46 Aleks Vukic wrapped up the deciding point against Northwestern with an impressive come-from-behind win over Mihir Kumar, sweeping the third set 6-0 after splitting the first two sets (3-6, 6-3).

No. 23 Jared Hiltzik remained undefeated in the dual season, as he battled No. 96 Sam Shropshire to three sets with a 6-2, 1-6, 7-5 victory.

The sixth ranked Illini will be back in action on Sunday at Atkins Tennis Center as they face Toledo at noon and Indiana at 4 p.m.

Illini Results
Singles
1. #23 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. #96 Sam Shropshire (NU) 6-2, 1-6, 7-5
2. #37 Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. #64 Strong Kirchheimer (NU) 6-1, 6-3
3. #69 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Logan Staggs (NU) 6-4, 6-3
4. #46 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Mihir Kumar (NU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-0
5. Toshiki Matsuya (ILL) def. Fedor Baev (NU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Alp Horoz (NU) def. Ross Guignon (ILL) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles
1. #11 Ross Guignon/Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Fedor Baev/Strong Kirchheimer (NU) 8-3
2. Sam Shropshire/Alex Pasareanu (NU) def. Farris Gosea/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) 8-5
3. Alp Horoz/Mihir Kumar (NU) def. Blake Bazarnik/Brian Page (ILL) 8-3