University of Illinois
Texas A&M
@IlliniMTennis Continues Competitive Slate Against Texas A&M Sunday
February 20, 2016 | Men's Tennis
URBANA, Ill. - The No. 12 ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team will square off against No. 7 Texas A&M Sunday, Feb. 21 at Noon inside Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois seeks it's seventh win of the season and fourth over a ranked opponent.
FOR STARTERS
Illinois enters the weekend with a record of 6-3 following mixed results at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships a week ago. The Illini defeated South Florida, but fell to both TCU and Oklahoma. No. 12 Aleks Vukic currently leads the Illini with a perfect 7-0 singles record, playing matches at both the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions. Also, No. 10 Jared Hiltzik is 6-1, as the Illini have lost only once at the No. 1 or No. 2 position this season. Illinois has been dominant when winning the doubles point, as the Illini are a perfect 4-0 after taking the early advantage.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
The Aggies enter the weekend following a 1-2 finish in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. A&M defeated Columbia before falling to both UCLA and Ohio State. The team sits at 10-2 on the season and is currently ranked No. 7 in the most recent ITA Top-25 rankings. The Aggies have two players ranked in the top-40 in the nation individually, including No. 8 Arthur Rinderknech and No. 39 Shane Vinsant. The two also form a formidable doubles duo, ranked at No. 26. Jordi Arconada and Max Lunkin are also ranked at No. 33.
ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS
Illinois enters the weekend at No. 12 in the ITA national rankings, after receiving a preseason ranking of No. 6. The Orange and Blue currently have three ranked singles players and are the only team in the nation to sport two top-15 players in No. 10 Jared Hiltzik and No. 12 Aleks Vukic. No. 69 Aron Hiltzik is also ranked individually.
VUKIC CONTINNUES TO BUILD RESUME
Sophomore Aleks Vukic was named Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, Feb. 16, as announced by the league office. Vukic is coming off two ranked singles victories and a doubles victory at the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. He delivered the clincher in Illinois' 4-3 victory over No. 13 South Florida on Saturday, Feb. 13. The honor is the second for Vukic this season and third of his career. The Sydney, Australia native was named the ITA Mover of Week in the most recent ITA rankings, garnering a No. 12 ranking after being previously unranked entering the season.
