In his second week playing at the No. 1 position, Ben Cappuccitti defeated Nick Tracy, 6-3, 6-2, to help lead the Illinois State mens tennis team (7-6, 1-1) to a victory over Cal Poly (8-8, 1-2) 4-3, in the first round action of the UCI Anteater Classic, March 28, in Irvine, Calif.
The Redbird doubles teams got things going early in the match for the Birds. The No. 1 team of Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari beat Travis Crawford and Scott Sans-Leeb 8-6. The No. 2 duo of Jason Smit and Ciaran Foley won their match over Brett Van Linge and Davey 9-7. The only doubles match the Birds did not pick up was the No. 3 spot, as Cal Polys Nick Tracy and Greg Levy beat Marek Blaskovic and Ben Cappuccitti 9-8.
Smit did his part in singles competition to help the Redbirds earn the victory Friday afternoon, with a win in the No. 2 position over Stacy Meranoff, 6-3, 6-3. Jones claimed the No. 3 spot with a victory over Redbird Uskokovic 6-4, 6-3. In the No. 4 position, Linge picked up a victory over Blaskovic in a tight match,6-7, 6-1, 10-7. Pettinari clinched the victory for the Birds in the No. 5 position, with a win over Crawford 6-1, 6-2. Levy took the No. 6 spot over Foley 6-3, 4-6, 10-4.
The Birds will face Brown, who defeated Charleston Southern 6-1, in second round action Saturday, at 1:00 p.m. in Irvine, Calif.
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