The Illinois State mens tennis (2-4, 0-0) played the top-ranked team in the nation Saturday for the first time in the programs history, but were unable to come away with a victory, falling to Illinois, 7-0, at the Atkins Tennis Center, in Urbana, Illinois.
The Illini picked up the doubles point by taking all three matches and never looked back the rest of the match. Ryler DeMeart and GD Jones teamed up to beat Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari in the No. 1 spot, 8-1. In the No. 2 position Evan Zeder and Chris Martin beat Ben Cappuccitti and Yohann Nograbat, 8-3. Pramod Dabir and Michael Calkins completed the doubles sweep by defeating Alban Renard and Guillermo Gomez in the No. 3 spot, 8-5.
The Redbirds were not only facing the top-ranked team in the country, but also had to deal with four nationally ranked players in the singles competition. Calkins, who is ranked No. 39 in singles play in the nation, is ranked the highest of the group, and defeated Pettinari in the No. 1 spot, 6-4, 6-2.
The match with the Illini marked the third straight match with a ranked oppoenent for the Redbirds. The Birds have come out on the short end in each contest, but will look to turn their luck around Sunday, against Marquette. The match is slated to start at 1 p.m. at the Evergreen Racquetclub, in Bloomington, Ill.
DOUBLES:
1 Ryler DeHeart/GD Jones (ILL) 8
Djordje Uskokovic/Ben Pettinari (ISU) 1
2 Evan Zeder/Chris Martin (ILL) 8
Ben Cappuccitti/Yohann Nograbat (ISU) 3
3 Pramod Dabir/Michael Calkins(ILL) 8
Alban Renard/Guillermo Gomez (ISU) 5
SINGLES:
1 #39 Michael Calkins (ILL) 6 6
Ben Pettinari (ISU) 4 2
2 #47 Chris Martin (ILL) 5
Ben Cappuccitti (ISU) 2 (Ret.)
3 #65 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) 6 6
Yohann Nograbat (ISU) 3 4
4 GD Jones (ILL) 6 6
Guillermo Gomez (ISU) 1 2
5 #74 Pramod Dabir(ILL) 6 6
Alban Renard (ISU) 0 0
6 Evan Zeder (ILL) 6 6
Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) 2 3
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