Dancer Post-Match Interview | Hiltzik Post-Match Interview | Page Post-Match Interview
URBANA, Ill. – The No. 17 Fighting Illini men's tennis team extended its match winning streak to nine with a 4-1 home victory over No. 21 Michigan Sunday afternoon on Senior Day. Jared Hiltzik and Brian Page were honored for their collegiate careers following the match. With today's victory, Illinois improves to 8-1 in the Big Ten and 17-7 overall.
"Michigan has a great team; they have great student athletes and a tremendous coaching staff. Anytime you go up against a team of that quality you're happy to get a win," head coach Brad Dancer said. "You look at all the accomplishments that we have had during Brian and Jared's tenure here which is awesome, but more important they are just incredible young men. They represent everything we want to embody in our program."
The Illini continued to roll in doubles, winning the opening point for the ninth time in the last 10 matches. After taking a loss at No. 2 doubles, Illinois responded to win the remaining two matches and take the early lead.
Jared Hiltzik and Pengxuan Jiang defeated Schalet/Cuba 6-4 at No. 3 doubles. Aron Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic secured the doubles point for Illinois with a 7-6 victory over No. 74 Knight/Hua. The sophomore duo of Hiltzik and Vukic won their second match over a ranked opponent this season.
In singles, the Illini started strong by taking the first set on four courts. No. 70 Aron Hiltzik was first off the court for Illinois, as he defeated Cartin Lin by the scores of 6-3, 6-2. Aron extended his winning streak to nine.
No. 4 Aleks Vukic increased the Illini lead to 3-0 with a win at No. 2 singles. Vukic defeated No. 93 Jathan Malik in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). The sophomore improved his perfect mark in Big Ten play to 7-0.
Michigan got on the board with a win at No. 5 singles. Brian Page fell to Kevin Wong 6-2, 6-2.
Julian Childers clinched the victory for the Orange and Blue. Childers topped Ruhoa Hua 6-4, 7-5 at No. 4 singles. Childers garnered his seventh victory in league play and extended his match winning streak to six.
The Illini will be on the road for the final regular season weekend of competition. UI will square off against Penn State on April 22, at 1 p.m. before taking on Ohio State on April 24, at 11 a.m.
#17 Illinois 4, #21 Michigan 1
Singles competition
1. #11 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) vs. #112 Alex Knight (MICH) 6-4, 6-7 (1-7), 4-2, unfinished
2. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. #93 Jathan Malik (MICH) 6-2, 6-4
3. #70 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Carter Lin (MICH) 6-3, 6-2
4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Runhao Hua (MICH) 6-4, 7-5
5. Kevin Wong (MICH) def. Brian Page (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
6. Alex Jesse (ILL) vs. Lubomir Cuba (MICH) 4-6, 6-1, 5-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. #74 Runhao Hua/Alex Knight (MICH) 7-6 (7-5)
2. Jathan Malik/Kevin Wong (MICH) def. Julian Childers/Brian Page (ILL) 6-1
3. Jared Hiltzik/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Myles Schalet/Lubomir Cuba (MICH) 6-4
Match Notes:
Michigan 17-6, 6-3; National ranking #21
Illinois 17-7, 8-1; National ranking #17
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,2,5,4)
