URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team earned home victories over both Wisconsin and Ball State on Sunday. The Orange and Blue swept the Badgers 4-0 to earn their fourth straight conference win. Following a short break, the Illini were back on the courts, as they defeated the Cardinals 4-0 to improve their record to 13-7 on the season. The victory over Wisconsin also gives the Illini a 4-1 record against Big Ten opponents.
"I thought we had some good performances across the board," head coach Brad Dancer said. "It's great to come out of today with two victories."
In the first match of the day, the Illini came out hot, earning the doubles point for the fifth consecutive match. Aron Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic were first to finish with a 6-2 victory over Remy/Dodridge on court one. Pengxuan Jiang and Jared Hiltzik clinched the early one point advantage with a 6-4 win over Carranza/Jalalov on court two. Julian Childers and Brian Page were tied 4-4 against Mackenzie/Zordani on court three when play was terminated.
In singles, No. 4 Aleks Vukic defeated Josef Dodridge 6-2, 6-1 on court one to put the Illini up 2-0. No. 10 Jared Hiltzik put the Orange and Blue on the cusp of victory with a 6-4, 6-1 win on court two over Alexander Kokorev. The match was clinched on court four, as Julian Childers defeated Osgar O'Hoisin 6-4, 6-3.
In the second match of the day, the Illini took the doubles point from Ball State with victories on courts one and two. Aron Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic got things started with a 6-1 win over C. Andersen/Downs. Pengxuan Jiang and Jared Hiltzik sealed the doubles point for the Illini with a 6-4 victory on court one over L. Andersen/Stutz.
The Illini had a different lineup than usual for singles play, as both No. 4 Aleks Vukic and No. 10 Jared Hiltzik did not compete. At the No. 4 singles position, Asher Hirsch was the first to finish with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Conner Andersen. Pengxuan Jiang put the Illini up 3-0 with a 6-0, 6-3 win on court six over Marko Guzina. The match clincher came on court one, as No. 59 Aron Hiltzik defeated Lucas Andersen 7-6(4), 6-1.
Next up, the Orange and Blue will travel to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes on Friday, April 8.
#15 Illinois 4, Wisconsin 0
Singles competition
1. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Josef Dodridge (WISC) 6-2, 6-1
2. #10 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Alexander Kokorev (WISC) 6-4, 6-1
3. #59 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Lamar Remy (WISC) 6-4, 5-6, unfinished
4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Osgar O'Hoisin (WISC) 6-4, 6-3
5. Asher Hirsch (ILL) vs. Jose Carranza (WISC) 3-6, 6-1, 2-2, unfinished
6. Brian Page (ILL) vs. John Zordani (WISC) 4-6, 6-1, 0-1, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Lamar Remy/Josef Dodridge (WISC) 6-2
2. Pengxuan Jiang/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Jose Carranza/Jakhongir Jalalov (WISC) 6-4
3. Julian Childers/Brian Page (ILL) vs. Darius Mackenzie/John Zordani (WISC) 4-4, unfinished
Match Notes:
Wisconsin 13-3, 3-1
Illinois 12-7, 4-1; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (1,2,4)
Official: Doug Rice T-1:50 A-312
#15 Illinois 4, Ball State 0
Singles competition
1. #59 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Lucas Andersen (BALLST) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
2. Julian Childers (ILL) vs. Andrew Stutz (BALLST) 6-3, 4-3, unfinished
3. Brian Page (ILL) vs. Nemanja Guzina (BALLST) 4-6, 4-3, unfinished
4. Asher Hirsch (ILL) def. Conner Andersen (BALLST) 6-1, 6-3
5. Pablo Landa (ILL) vs. Patrick Downs (BALLST) 5-7, 0-3, unfinished
6. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Marko Guzina (BALLST) 6-0, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Pengxuan Jiang/Jared Hiltzik (ILL) def. Lucas Andersen/Andrew Stutz (BALLST) 6-4
2. Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) def. Conner Andersen/Patrick Downs (BALLST) 6-1
3. Brian Page/Julian Childers (ILL) vs. Matt Helm/Tom Carney (BALLST) 5-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Ball State 7-10
Illinois 13-7; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles
