BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team garnered its first conference win of the season Friday night with a 4-0 road victory at Indiana. No. 10 Illinois improves to 9-7 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten play.
"It's always good to get road wins in the Big Ten. Our guys had some great bounce-back performances today from our match earlier this week," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We are excited to get home and play Purdue on Sunday."
The Orange and Blue garnered the doubles point for the second consecutive match. Illinois garnered victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles positions. Jared Hiltzik and Pengxuan Jiang defeated Lugonjic/Essick 6-4 on court two. Brian Page and Julian Childers secured the early advantage for the Illini with a 7-6 (7) win over Manji/Salgado on court three.
The Illini kept the momentum in singles, taking the first set on five courts. No. 4 Aleks Vukic garnered the first singles victory for the Illini with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Raheel Manji on court two.
Asher Hirsch extended the Illini lead with a win at Illinois' No. 5 singles. Hirsch topped Afonso Salgado by the scores of 7-5, 6-4.
Julian Childers clinched the 4-0 sweep, taking out Matthew McCoy 6-1, 6-4 on court four.
The Illini will continue Big Ten play this Sunday at home with a matchup against Purdue. First serve is set for Noon at Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana.
#10 Illinois 4, Indiana 0
Singles competition
1. #50 Sam Monette (IND) vs. #10 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) 2-6, 6-3, 3-3, unfinished
2. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Raheel Manji (IND) 6-4, 6-3
3. Daniel Bednarczyk (IND) vs. #59 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) 3-6, 6-6 (1-4), unfinished
4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Matthew McCoy (IND) 6-1, 6-4
5. Asher Hirsch (ILL) def. Afonso Salgado (IND) 7-5, 6-4
6. Antonio Cembellin (IND) vs. Brian Page (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 4-0, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #78 Sam Monette/Daniel Bednarczyk (IND) def. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) 6-3
2. Jared Hiltzik/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Stefan Lugonjic/Chris Essick (IND) 6-4
3. Julian Childers/Brian Page (ILL) def. Raheel Manji/Afonso Salgado (IND) 7-6 (9-7)
Match Notes:
Illinois 9-7; National ranking #10
Indiana 4-11
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (2,5,4)
