STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 11 Illinois men's tennis picked up two wins, first against Oral Roberts (4-0) and then against Tulsa (4-2), at Greenwood Tennis Center on Thursday.
The Illini jumped up to 9-4 on the year, with Oral Roberts falling to 4-8 and Tulsa going to 6-11 overall.
"Tulsa made it really challenging for us," head coach Brad Dancer said. "A bunch of our guys did great, but the day goes to Lucas. He was steady as a rock, and I'm so thrilled he got that moment. He was a true leader for our team today."
Oral Roberts
Lucas Horve and Tyler Bowers started things off for the Illini in doubles with a 6-1 win over Aaron Brewer and Parv Nage. Alex Petrov and Karlis Ozolins clinched the doubles point after a 6-3 victory against Cayden Cheek and Ryan Holloway.
In singles, Jeremy Zhang swiftly took care of Cheek with a 6-1, 6-1 win. Bowers then defeated Aaron Brewer, 6-1, 6-1, with Kenta Miyoshi clinching the match with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Eli Brewer.
Tulsa
The second match of the day began with a 6-4 loss for Kenta Miyoshi and Mathis Debru at the hands of Victor Tosetto and Alex Okonkwo, the younger brother of Illini graduate student Oliver Okonkwo.
No. 57-ranked Horve and Oliver Okonkwo turned it around with a 6-4 win over Gus Tettamble and Callum Gale. Tulsa went on to clinch the doubles point after No. 55-ranked Pierce Rollins and Timothy Seger defeated No. 3-ranked Ozolins and Hunter Heck, 6-4.
Singles turned around after No. 39-ranked Heck triumphed over Rollins, 6-2, 6-2. No. 30-ranked Ozolins went on to defeat Gale, 6-3, 6-3.
After an Oliver Okonkwo loss, Horve defeated Alex Okonkwo, 7-5, 6-4, before No. 55 Miyoshi clinched the match with a 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1 decision over Seger.
Up Next
No. 11 Illinois closes out its time in Oklahoma with a meeting with Oklahoma State. The dual between the Illini and Cowboys is slated for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT.
Oral Roberts Results
Doubles competition
1. Mathis Debru/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) vs. Gustavo Pinho/Eli Brewer (ORU) 5-4, unfinished
2. Alex Petrov/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Cayden Cheek/Ryan Holloway (ORU) 6-3
3. Tyler Bowers/Lucas Horve (ILL) def. Aaron Brewer/Parv Nage (ORU) 6-1
Singles competition
1. #39 Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Gustavo Pinho (ORU) 6-0, 5-4, unfinished
2. #55 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Eli Brewer (ORU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) vs. Parv Nage (ORU) 3-6, 6-2, 0-1, unfinished
4. Jeremy Zhang (ILL) def. Cayden Cheek (ORU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Tyler Bowers (ILL) def. Aaron Brewer (ORU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Lucas Horve (ILL) vs. Ryan Holloway (ORU) 6-1, 4-4, unfinished
Tulsa Results
Doubles competition
1. #55 Pierce Rollins/Timothy Seger (TLS) def. #3 Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) 6-4
2. #57 Oliver Okonkwo/Lucas Horve (ILL) def. Gus Tettamble/Callum Gale (TLS) 6-4
3. Victor Tosetto/Alex Okonkwo (TLS) def. Kenta Miyoshi/Mathis Debru (ILL) 6-4
Singles competition
1. #39 Hunter Heck (ILL) def. Pierce Rollins (TLS) 6-2, 6-2
2. #30 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Callum Gale (TLS) 6-3, 6-3
3. Thiago Pernas (TLS) def. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. #55 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def. Timothy Seger (TLS) 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1
5. Victor Tosetto (TLS) vs. Jeremy Zhang (ILL) 6-4, 3-6, 3-5, unfinished
6. Lucas Horve (ILL) def. Alex Okonkwo (TLS) 7-5, 6-4
