Dancer-Post Match Interview | A. Hiltzik Post-Match Interview | Guignon Post-Match Interview
URBANA, Ill. - The fourth-ranked and one-seed Fighting Illini men's tennis team cruised to a Big Ten title with a 4-0 victory over two-seeded and 12th-ranked Ohio State Sunday afternoon in Urbana. The victory marks the second conference tournament title for the Illini under head coach
Brad Dancer who were champions in 2012.
"You work so hard for such a long period of time and then for these guys to have this moment in front of the incredible Net Nuts and the fans that came out today," head coach
Brad Dancer said. "It's a magical experience for them. I'm so happy for the guys."
The Illini (25-4, 10-1) wrapped up a stellar conference season as 2015 Big Ten Champions and 2015 Big Ten Tournament Champions. Illinois dominated throughout the tournament garnering 4-0 victories in all three matches. Today's win marked the Orange and Blue's third victory over Ohio State this season.
The Illini claimed the doubles point with victories on courts one and two. After
Farris Gosea and
Aleks Vukic defeated Callahan/Diaz 8-2 on court two,
Aron Hiltzik and
Ross Guignon fell to Mendez/Torpegaard 8-4 on court three. No. 68
Tim Kopinski and
Jared Hiltzik upset No. 4 Metka/Steinbach 8-5 on court one to take the early 1-0 advantage. The Illini have now garnered the opening point in 10 of their last 11 matches.
Illinois set the tone early in singles play earning first set victories on all six courts. No. 66
Aleks Vukic was first to finish with a 6-1, 6-3 victory on court five over Kevin Metka. With today's win, the freshman earned his 42nd victory this season, tying Ryler DeHeart's school record for most wins in a season. No. 45
Farris Gosea also won in straight sets by defeating Mikal Torpegaard 6-3, 6-2 on court two.
The Illini clinched the victory on court four, as No. 63
Aron Hiltzik defeated Hunter Callahan in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
The Illini will await for the announcement of their opening-round matchup in the NCAA Championships, which are slated to begin May 8 at regional sites. The selections will be announced Tuesday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
Full Results from today's match can be found below.
Singles1. #24
Jared Hiltzik (ILL) vs. #49 Chris Diaz (OSU) 6-2, 5-6, unfinished
2. #45
Farris Gosea (ILL) def. #47 Mikal Torpegaard (OSU) 6-3, 6-2
3. #55
Tim Kopinski (ILL) vs. Herkko Pollanen (OSU) 6-3, 2-6, 0-1, unfinished
4. #63
Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Hunter Callahan (OSU) 6-4, 6-4
5. #66
Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Kevin Metka (OSU) 6-1, 6-3
6.
Ross Guignon (ILL) vs. #97 Ralf Steinbach (OSU) 6-0, 0-6, 3-4, unfinished
Doubles1. #68
Tim Kopinski/
Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. #4 Kevin Metka/Ralf Steinbach (OSU) 8-5
2.
Farris Gosea/
Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. #85 Hunter Callahan/Chris Diaz (OSU) 8-2
3. Matt Mendez/Mikal Torpegaard (OSU) def.
Aron Hiltzik/
Ross Guignon (ILL) 8-4
Match Notes: Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (5,2,4)
