@IlliniMTennis Takes Out USF in National Indoors Consolation

Men's Tennis February 13, 2016

@IlliniMTennis Takes Out USF in National Indoors Consolation

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team rallied from a 3-2 deficit to garner a 4-3 victory over No. 13 South Florida Saturday afternoon in the consolation bracket of the ITA National Team Indoor Championship at Boar's Head Sports Club.

Down 3-2 to South Florida with two singles matches remaining, the Illini garnered wins from Julian Childers and Aleks Vukic to clinch the victory. Julian Childers broke Justin Roberts at 4-3 in the third set and secured a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win to even the score. No. 10 Vukic delivered the clincher with a 7-6, 6-4 victory over No. 7 Roberto Cid at the No. 1 position.

"The guys did a great job, against a talented South Florida, of staying present and not being distracted," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Julian weathered a big storm from Justin and hung tough, finally breaking through at 4-3 in the third. Vukic did a great job of keeping composure after being up a break on two different occasions. He put himself in that winning position and trusted himself down the stretch."

Illinois dropped the doubles point for the second consecutive day at National Indoors. South Florida garnered victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions to take the early advantage.

"Needless to say we are not preparing our doubles to be successful against these teams," Dancer said. "I felt South Florida captured control of the point too often. After doubles, we had a brief discussion about just reminding guys about the importance of competing in the moment."

Illinois also garnered singles victories from No. 10 Jared Hiltzik and No. 69 Aron Hiltzik. Jared evened the team score at 1-1 when he topped No. 26 Dominic Cotrone by the score of 6-1, 6-2 on court two. Aron defeated Sasha Gozun 7-5, 6-4 on court three to even the score at 2-2.

USF garnered singles victories on courts five and six.

The Illini advance to face Oklahoma tomorrow in the consolation semifinals.

#12 Illinois 4, #13 South Florida 3

Singles competition

1. No. 12 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. No. 7 Roberto Cid (USF) 7-6, 6-4

2. No. 10 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. No. 26 Dominic Cotrone (USF) 6-1, 6-2

3. No. 69 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Sasha Gozun (USF) 7-5, 6-4

4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Justin Roberts (USF) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

5. Peter Bertran (USF) def. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) 6-3, 6-0

6. Ignacio Gonzalez Mun (USF) def. Alex Jesse (ILL) 7-6, 6-3

Doubles competition

1. Dominic Cotrone/Justin Roberts (USF) def. Alex Jesse/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) 6-4