Alban Renard was impressive in only his second match as a member of the Illinois State mens tennis team(2-0, 0-0), as he won both his singles and doubles matches to lead the Redbirds to a 4-3 victory over St. Johns in South Bend Ind., Saturday.
Renard teamed with freshman Chris Cozad in the No. 2 doubles position to defeat St. Johns Morgan Bauer and David Nylen, 8-4. Ben Cappuccitti and Tim Link clinched the doubles point by winning the No. 3 doubles flight against Boris Chiporukha and Nick Stocker, 8-6.
Renard was equally effective in his singles matchup against Bauer, winning the No. 5 spot 6-1, 6-1. Yohan Nograbat was also able to earn a doubles point for the Birds by defeating Stocker in the No. 4 flight, 6-0, 6-0. Alfredo Lagarda sealed the win for the Birds by winning the No. 6 flight over Chiporukha, 6-3, 6-3.
Head coach Greg Kennett was impressed with how his team performed in only its second match of the season.
I was pleased with our performance today against a very tough St. Johns team, Kennett said. The strength of our team is being solid all the way through the lineup, and that really showed today.
The Redbirds will face their toughest match of the season thus far Sunday, against No. 49 Notre Dame at 3 p.m., Sunday, in South Bend, Ind.
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