Urbana, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team garnered its third straight conference victory on Friday evening with a 4-0 sweep over Minnesota at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini improve to 11-7 on the season and 3-1 in Big Ten play.
"We were fortunate to catch Minnesota a bit banged up," head coach Brad Dancer said. "We know how good their program is and we have a ton of respect for their coaching staff and student-athletes. We know that our matches on Sunday will be more good challenges for us and this squad will look forward to it."
Illinois earned the early advantage with doubles wins of courts one and three. The Illini have won the doubles point in four straight matches. The tandem of Aleks Vukic and Aron Hiltzik were first to finish on court one with a 6-4 victory over Alpeza/Weber. After Minnesota won 6-4 on court two, the doubles point was to be decided on court three. Asher Hirsch and Jared Hiltzik garnered a 6-4 victory over Corwin/Levin to put the Illini up 1-0.
The momentum continued into singles play, as the Illini earned first set victories on all six courts. No. 4 Aleks Vukic was first to finish with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Matic Spec on court one. Julian Childers put the Illini up 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Felix Corwin on court four.
The match clincher came on court two as No. 10 Jared Hiltzik defeated Ruben Weber 6-3, 6-1. Aron Hiltzik, Asher Hirsch and Brian Page all held leads in their matches when play was terminated.
Next up, the Illini will host Wisconsin and Ball State on Sunday, April 3. The Illini take on the Badgers at 2 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. match against the Cardinals.
#15 Illinois 4, Minnesota 0
Singles competition
1. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Matic Spec (MINN) 6-4, 6-1
2. #10 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Ruben Weber (MINN) 6-3, 6-1
3. #59 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Marino Alpeza (MINN) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished
4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Felix Corwin (MINN) 6-3, 6-2
5. Asher Hirsch (ILL) vs. Justyn Levin (MINN) 6-2, 5-3, unfinished
6. Brian Page (ILL) vs. Jeremy Lynn (MINN) 6-3, 4-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Aleks Vukic/Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Marino Alpeza/Ruben Weber (MINN) 6-4
2. Matic Spec/Jeremy Lynn (MINN) def. Brian Page/Julian Childers (ILL) 6-4
3. Jared Hiltzik/Asher Hirsch (ILL) def. Felix Corwin/Justyn Levin (MINN) 6-4
Match Notes:
Minnesota 6-12, 0-4
Illinois 11-7, 3-1; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,4,2)
