The Illinois State mens tennis (14-9) teams bid to earn their first Missouri Valley Conference championship ended today with a 4-1 semifianl loss to nationally ranked Wichita State(15-10) Saturday, at the Coleman Tennis Complex in Wichita, Kan.
The Redbirds performed strongly in the doubles competion, as they have all year, and earned the doubles point to gain momentum heading into the singles contests. Jason Smit and Ciaran Foley won an astounding 13th straight match in the No. 2 doubles position over Marko Despot and Angelo Manns, 8-2. As they did in their first round match against Evansville, Marek Blaskovic and Ben Cappuccitti clinched the doubles point with a win in the No. 3 spot over Joggan Austin and Carlo Contente, 8-6. Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari did not finish their match with Leo Ramirez and Jaime Rodriguez, as the Birds had already earned the doubles point.
The singles competition did not fair as well for the Birds, however. Despot defeated Cappuccitti in the No. 1 spot in a close match, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-0. In the No. 3 spot Rodriguez overcame Uskokovic, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Playing in the No. 5 spot Contente took the point over Pettinari, 6-4, 6-1. Wichita State sealed the victory when Manns beat Foley in the No. 6 position, 5-7, 6-4, 6-0. After Wichita State earned the fourth point the other singles matches did not finish.
Smits run at the all-time singles record also ended today when his match with Austin was stopped after Wichita State had earned the victory. Smit was leading the match 4-6, 6-3, 4-1 when the match was stopped. Smit finished his career with 88 total wins, only one behind Mike Miller for the all-time lead.
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