Results

Printable Results | Dancer Post-match Interview | Kopinski Post-match Interview

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team defeated Penn State 6-1 Friday afternoon inside Atkins Tennis Center. With the victory, the Illini move to 16-3 overall and 4-0 in the Big Ten.

"It felt great to be back home and just to be out competing again," head coach Brad Dancer said. "The doubles was a little better today. We played with a little bit more purpose in the the doubles and that's going to be important for us going forward. In singles, I think everyone did some good things."

The Illini got off to a fast start in doubles with Aleks Vukic and Farris Gosea claiming the first seven games on court three. The duo would go on to defeat Barry/Trkulja 8-1. Illinois clinched the doubles point on court one, as No. 75 Tim Kopinski and Jared Hiltzik defeated Stakhovsky/Laaribi 8-4.

The Illini kept the momentum going into singles claiming the first set on five courts. No. 52 Aron Hiltzik garnered the first singles point for Illinois, defeating Thomas Hanzlik 6-1, 6-2 on court four. No. 50 Aleks Vukic quickly followed with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Aws Laaribi on court five. The freshmen duo both extended their match winning streaks, with Vukic at 10 consecutive wins and Hiltzik at nine.

No. 42 Tim Kopinski secured the victory over the Nittany Lions on court three, as he bested Matt Barry 6-2, 6-3. No. 22 Jared Hiltzik defeated Alex Fennell 6-1, 7-5 on court one.

Penn State's lone victory came on court one. Alex Fennell beat No. 64 Farris Gosea 6-3, 4-6, 10-7. Toshiki Matsuya earned the sixth point for the Illini with a victory on court six. Matsuya took down Roman Trkulja 7-6(7), 6-4.

Up next, the Fighting Illini host No. 11 Ohio State Sunday at Noon.

Full results from today's match can be found below.

Singles
1. #22 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Alex Fennell (PSU) 6-1, 7-5
2. Leo Stakhovsky (PSU) def. #64 Farris Gosea (ILL) 6-3, 4-6, 10-7
3. #42 Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Matt Barry (PSU) 6-2, 6-3
4. #52 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Thomas Hanzlik (PSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. #50 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Aws Laaribi (PSU) 6-3, 6-1
6. Toshiki Matsuya (ILL) def. Roman Trkulja (PSU) 7-6 (0-7), 6-4

Doubles
1. #75 Jared Hiltzik/Tim Kopinski (ILL) def. Leo Stakhovsky/Aws Laaribi (PSU) 8-4
2. Ross Guignon/Aron Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Alex Fennell/ChristianLutschaunig (PSU) 6-3, unfinished
3. Aleks Vukic/Farris Gosea (ILL) def. Matt Barry/Roman Trkulja (PSU) 8-1