University of Illinois
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
@IlliniMTennis Opens NCAA Tournament at Home Friday
May 12, 2016 | Men's Tennis
Live Scoring & Video | Championship Central
URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team will host the first and second round matches of the NCAA Tennis Championships at the Kahn Outdoor Tennis Complex at Atkins Tennis Center this weekend. First round action will take place on Friday, May 13, starting with Mississippi State vs. Memphis at 2 p.m. Illinois vs. Western Michigan will then follow at 5 p.m. The winner of those two matches will square off on Saturday, May 14, at 4 p.m. for a spot in the Round of 16 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ticket prices for the first and second rounds will be $5 for adults and $3 for students and can be purchased at the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex starting one hour prior to the first match each day. One ticket is valid for one admission to all matches on the day the ticket is purchased. Spectator parking is available east of the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex off of Goodwin Avenue. Spectators can enter the Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex from this lot.
Illini Tournament History
Since the tournament opened to a 64-team field in 1999, the Illini have advanced to the second round each year, compiling a perfect 17-0 record in the first round. In the second round, the Orange and Blue are an impressive 14-3. Head coach Brad Dancer has led the Illini to the Round of 16 at the NCAA Championships eight times in his 10 years under the helm.
Illinois will compete in the NCAA Championships for the 21st consecutive season. Overall, the Illini are 43-19 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. Illinois won the National Championship in 2003 and was national runner-up in 2007.
Quick Hits
- The Illini enter the postseason having won 11 of their last 14 matches
- Aleks Vukic leads Illinois with a 20-3 record and a 11-2 mark at Illinois' No. 1 singles
- Jared Hiltzik sports a 16-4 overall mark and a 10-2 record at Illinois' No. 2 singles
- Aron Hiltzik holds a 15-5 record at Illinois' No. 3 singles
- Illinois reached the Big Ten Tournament final for the ninth time in Dancer's 11 years at the helm
Illini in the Rankings
Individually, the Orange and Blue have three players nationally ranked. UI is one of just two teams to sport two singles players ranking in the top-16 nationally, highlighted by No. 4 Aleks Vukic and No. 16 Jared Hiltzik. Aron Hiltzik ranks No. 60. In doubles, the sophomore duo of Vukic and Aron Hiltzik rank No. 87.
Illini Represented in NCAA Singles Championships
Fighting Illini men's tennis will be represented in the NCAA Singles Championships, as the NCAA announced senior Jared Hiltzik and sophomore Aleks Vukic to the 64-man field. Sophomore Aron Hiltzik received the fourth alternate spot.
Vukic was awarded All-American honors after receiving the No. 4 overall seed, he earns the 29th All-America honor in Illini history. Vukic, a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection, enters the postseason with a 20-3 dual record. Jared Hiltzik will make his fourth appearance in the NCAA Singles Championships. He is currently a two-time All-American, and boasts a 16-4 dual record this season. As an alternate, Hiltzik will wait to see if his name gets called into the tournament field. A 2016 Second Team All-Big Ten selection, Hiltzik sports a 17-5 dual record.
The NCAA Championships singles and doubles competitions will be conducted May 25-30 at the Case Tennis Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following the conclusion of the team championship, which runs from May 19-24. The University of Tulsa will serve as host.
Three Illini Receive All-Big Ten Honors
Fighting Illini men's tennis was recognized by the Big Ten Conference Thursday, April 28, as the league announced its postseason awards. Three Illini were named to All-Big Ten teams, led by Aleks Vukic and Jared Hiltzik who earned First Team nods. Aron Hiltzik garnered a Second Team laurel. Senior Brian Page was named the Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Hiltzik Earns ITA Recognition
Fighting Illini senior Jared Hiltzik was named Midwest Region Senior Player of the Year on Monday (May 9), as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Hiltzik is the second-consecutive Illini to be named the top senior player in the region and fourth overall, joining Tim Kopinski (2015), Ryan Rowe (2008) and Ryler DeHeart (2006). A four-time First Team All-Big Ten selection and two-time All-American, Hiltzik has been one of the best singles players in Illini history. The senior will graduate from Illinois ranked in the top-10 in program history in singles wins.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
