Ben Pettinari and Djordje Uskokovic have won 19 matches as a doubles pair in two seasons as members of the Illinois State mens tennis team, but are seeking their first Missouri Valley Individual Championship in the doubles competition starting Friday at the Valley Individual Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
Pettinari and Uskokovic earned Missouri Valley All-Conference honors last season and a 2003 berth in the ITA All-American championships, but not yet a Valley Individual Championships crown.
Their head coach, Greg Kennett, feels that the tandem of Pettinari and Uskokovic has the best chance of winning an individual title for the Redbirds since 2000, when Yew Ming Si and Ricky Heath won the No. 1 doubles title, and Brent Steven and Jason Smit won the No. 2 doubles title.
Based on what they did last year and how they have played this fall season, I would definitely say that (Uskokovic and Pettinari) are the favorites to win the No. 1 doubles title this weekend, Kennett said.
Kennett is not only counting on the duo of Pettinari and Uskokovic to bring home titles this weekend. He sees veteran Ben Cappuccitti and newcomer Alban Renard as having excellent shots at individual titles.
For the first time since I have been here I think that everyone has an opportunity to win in their respective flights, Kennett said.
Drake will host the Valley Individual Championships, with matches starting at 8 a.m., Jan. 30, at the Drake Tennis Center, in Des Moines, Iowa.
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