@IlliniMTennis Sweeps Michigan State, Wins Eighth Straight

Men's Tennis April 15, 2016

@IlliniMTennis Sweeps Michigan State, Wins Eighth Straight

Dancer Post-Match Interview | Vukic Post-Match Interview | Photo Gallery

URBANA, Ill. – In the second outdoor home match of the season, the No. 17 Fighting Illini men's tennis team earned a 4-0 victory over Michigan State to extend their winning streak to eight. With the victory, the Orange and Blue improve to 16-7 on the season and 7-1 in Big Ten play.

"We're always happy to get wins and move on, but we know we could do better then we did tonight, " head coach Brad Dancer said. "We're happy to move forward and improve our standing in the conference."

Illinois earned the doubles point for the eighth time in the last nine matches with victories on courts two and three. At No. 3 doubles, Brian Page and Julian Childers won their third straight match with a 6-0 sweep of Shisler/Rakic. The clincher came at No. 2 doubles, as Jared Hiltzik and Pengxuan Jiang defeated Dube/Harvey 6-1.

No. 70 Aron Hiltzik got things started in singles for the Illini with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Michael Dube on court two. Aron extended his winning streak to eight.

Putting the Illini up 3-0, Aleks Vukic garnered a 6-2, 6-4 win over Mac Roy at No. 1 singles. Vukic improves to 6-0 in Big Ten play.

Page came up with the match clincher for the Illini on court five with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Ivan Rakic. The senior has won three straight singles matches and is now 3-1 in league play.

Illinois will get set for its final regular season home match on Sunday. UI welcomes in No. 21 Michigan for Senior Day, with first serve at Noon. Seniors Jared Hiltzik and Brian Page will be honored for their collegiate careers following the match.

#17 Illinois 4, Michigan State 0

Singles competition

1. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Mac Roy (MICHST) 6-2, 6-4

2. #70 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Michael Dube (MICHST) 6-2, 6-2

3. Julian Childers (ILL) vs. Jasper Koenen (MICHST) 5-7, 4-4, unfinished

4. Asher Hirsch (ILL) vs. Alexander Kim (MICHST) 6-2, 4-6, unfinished

5. Brian Page (ILL) def. Ivan Rakic (MICHST) 6-4, 6-2

6. Alex Jesse (ILL) vs. Colin Harvey (MICHST) 6-4, 4-3, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. Aleks Vukic/Aron Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Mac Roy/Jasper Koenen (MICHST) 5-3, unfinished

2. Jared Hiltzik/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Michael Dube/Colin Harvey (MICHST) 6-1

3. Brian Page/Julian Childers (ILL) def. Billy Shisler/Ivan Rakic (MICHST) 6-0