Greg Kennett came into Fridays matchup with Eastern Illinois looking to guide the Illinois State mens tennis team to a win in their first match of the season. The Redbirds (1-0, 0-0) were able to do this, with a 6-1 win over Eastern Illinois (0-1, 0-0), and in the process, Kennett was able to pick up his 100th career coaching victory, at the Evergreen Racquetclub in Bloomington, Ill.
The Birds were able to pick up the first point on the strength of a strong start from their No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams. The No. 2 duo of Alban Renard and Chris Cozad downed Charles LeVaque and Colin Priestner of Eastern Illinois, 8-3. The No. 3 doubles team of Ben Cappuccitti and Tim Link locked down the doubles point with an 8-2 win over Ryan Blankenbaker and Brandon Lenfert.
I was really proud of the way the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams performed tonight, Kennett said. They fought hard and were very impressive for their first match of the year.
The Birds used the momentum that they gained from earning the doubles point in their singles matches. Uskokovic highlighted the singles matches after being down 3-5 in the first set, to come back and earn the win in the No. 2 spot over Brandon Blankensaker, 7-5, 6-3.
I think that we came out a little tentative early, Uskokovic said. Once we got settled down we really got rolling.
The Birds will head to South Bend, Ind. Saturday to take on St. Johns at Notre Dame University at 5 p.m.
Doubles
No. 1--B. Blankensaker/ Weber (EIU) def. Uskokovic/ Nograbat (ISU) 8-3
No. 2--Renard/ Cozad (ISU) def. LeVaque/ Priestner (EIU) 8-3
No. 3--Cappuccitt/ Link (ISU) def. R. Blankensaker/ Lenfert (EIU) 8-2
Singles
No.1--Weber (EIU) def. Cappuccitt (ISU) 6-2, 6-3
No. 2--Uskokovic (ISU) def. B. Blankesaker (EIU) 7-5, 6-3
No.3--Nograbat (ISU) def. LeVaque (EIU) 6-3, 3-6 (10-7)
No. 4--Renard (ISU) def. Lenfert (EIU) 6-0, 4-6 (10-8)
No. 5--Lagarda (ISU) def. Priestner (EIU) 6-2, 6-3
No. 6--Cozad (ISU) def. R. Blankensaker (EIU) 6-0, 6-0
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