Djordje Uskokovic won his No. 2 singles match and anchored an 8-3 Illinois State winner at No. 1 doubles, but it didn't stop Southern Mississippi from a 4-3 win over the Redbirds at the Las Vegas Classic in the Fertitta Tennis Complex.
Uskokovic took a 6-2, 6-4 decision from Juan Garzon of Southern Miss, joining No. 6 singles player Alfredo Lagarda--a 6-0, 6-2 winner over Thomas Funke--as Illinois State's only singles winner. With Uskokovic and Guillermo Gomez winning at No. 1 doubles, plus Alban Renard and Tim Link winning at No. 3 doubles, the 'Birds won the doubles point.
The 'Birds had their chances. Chris Cozad came back after a 6-2 loss in the first set to a 6-3 win to force a third set at No. 3 singles against the Eagles' Chris Rea, who beat Cozad 6-2 in the deciding set. Renard went wire-to-wire in two sets with USM's Dylan Mezey, losing both by 7-6 scores.
Despite missing No. 1 singles player Ben Pettinari, Illinois State coach Greg Kennett thought his team could pull through. Pettinari was sidelined with back problems.
"Djordje played great doubles and a very solid singles match," said Kennett. "We miss Ben. Not having him hurt us. But I still think we could have played well enough to win this match."
The Redbirds are 4-6.
