Urbana, Ill. – The No. 7 Fighting Illini men's tennis team hosted Notre Dame in the opening round of ITA Kick-Off Weekend. The Illini came away with their second victory of the day after defeating the Fighting Irish 4-0.
"I have a ton of respect for Notre Dame and their coaching staff, so to get through that match without dropping a set tells me our guys were ready to go in singles play," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We are looking forward to another great challenge tomorrow."
The team took the early 1-0 advantage after securing the doubles point with victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.
The Illini took the momentum into singles play by earning first set victories on five of the six courts. No. 21 Jared Hiltzik was first to finish on court two with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Eddy Covalschi. Aleks Vukic was next to finish with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 37 Quentin Monaghan. No. 41 Aron Hiltzik clinched the win over the Fighting Irish with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Alex Lawson on court three.
Three matches were left unfinished on the night. An Illini singles player did not drop a set in the match.
The Illini will return to action tomorrow to face off against Northwestern at 6 pm CT at Atkins Tennis Center for a spot in the ITA National Indoor Championships.
Illini Sweep Valpo In Season Opener
The Fighting Illini men's tennis team swept Valparaiso Friday morning in its 2016 dual season opener. The Illini cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Crusaders inside Atkins Tennis Center.
Illinois took the early advantage over the Crusaders by garnering the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 and 3 doubles position. Aron Hiltzik & Aleks Vukic were first off the court, earning a 6-2 victory over Bacalla/Waak at No. 2 doubles. Illinois clinched the opening point with the help of Brian Page and Julian Childers at No. 3 doubles. Childers/Page secured a 6-3 win over Oakes/Gardner. Alex Jesse and Jared Hiltzik fell to No. 33 Schrosch/Emhardt 6-4.
The Illini continued the fast start in singles play by claiming the first set in four matches. Aron Hiltzik grabbed the first singles victory with a win over Charlie Emhardt in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) at No. 3 doubles. Fellow sophomore Vukic extended the Illini lead with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Dave Bacalla at No. 2 singles. The clincher came from Jesse who defeated Garrett Gardner 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 5 position.
Full Illini results from today are below.
No. 7 Illinois 4, Notre Dame 0
SINGLES
1. Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. No. 37 Quentin Monaghan (ND) 6-3, 6-4
2. No. 21 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Eddy Covalschi (ND) 6-0, 6-2
3. No. T-41 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Alex Lawson (ND) 6-4, 6-2
4. Josh Hagar (ND) vs. No. 67 Julian Childers (ILL), 2-6, 3-4 unfinished
5. Grayson Broadus (ND) vs. Alex Jesse (ILL) 6-6(5-6) unfinished
6. Nicolas Montoya (ND) vs. Asher Hirsh (ILL) 1-6, 3-5 unfinished
DOUBLES
1. No. 6 Alex Lawson / Quentin Monaghan (ND) def. Jared Hiltzik / Alex Jesse (ILL) 7-5
2. Aron Hiltzik / Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Eddy Covalschi / Josh Hagar (ND) 6-4
3. Julian Childers / Brian Page (ILL) def. Grayson Broadus / Eric Schnurrenberger (ND) 6-3
No. 7 Illinois 4, Valparaiso 0
SINGLES
1. #21 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Jeffrey Schrosch (VALPO) 2-6, 6-6 (7-5), unfinished
2. Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Dave Bacalla (VALPO) 7-5, 6-2
3. #41 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Charlie Emhardt (VALPO) 6-3, 6-3
4. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) vs. Kyle Dunn (VALPO) 7-6, 1-1, unfinished
5. Alex Jesse (ILL) def. Garrett Gardner (VALPO) 6-1, 6-4
6. Asher Hirsch (ILL) vs. Daniel Oaks (VALPO) 5-7, 6-2, 1-0, unfinished
DOUBLES
1. #33 Jeffrey Schrosch/Charlie Emhardt (VALPO) def. Alex Jesse/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) 6-4
2. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Dave Bacalla/Lucas Waak (VALPO) 6-2
3. Brian Page/Julian Childers (ILL) def. Daniel Oakes/Garrett Gardner (VALPO) 6-3
