Djordje Uskokovic defeated Andrey Kumantsov, 6-3, 6-2, in the No. 1 singles spot, but it was not enough to prevent the Illinois State mens tennis team (5-9, 1-1) from losing to Missouri Valley Conference foe Indiana State, 4-3, Sunday, at the Evergreen Racquetclub, in Bloomington, Ill.
The Redbirds were swept in the doubles competition, giving Indiana State an early 1-0 edge in the contest. It was the second straight match that the Birds failed to earn the doubles point.
The Birds rebounded from the doubles sweep with wins from Uskokovic in the No. 1 singles spot, Chris Cozad in the No. 3 position over R.J. Nagel, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, and Alfredo Lagarda in the No. 6 spot over Dewald Linde, 6-2, 6-1.
The singles victories from the trio of Birds would prove to be not enough, as Boyd Michaus win over Guillermo Gomez in the No. 4 singles position, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, sealed the win for Indiana State and ended any hope of a Redbird comeback.
Head coach Greg Kennett felt that losing the doubles point was the difference in the match.
We came out really slow in the doubles competition, and that really hurt us, Kennett said. We have some young guys out there right now who have to learn how to handle the pressure better.
The Redbirds will look to get back on track against Evansville, April 2, in Evansville, Ind.
Indiana State 4, Illinois State 3
Singles competition
No. 1 Djordje Uskokovic (Ill. State) over Andrey Kumantsov (Ind. State) 6-3, 6-2
No. 2 Ivan DArgence Arceo (Ind. State) over Yohann Nograbat (Ill. State) 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 Chris Cozad (Ill. State) over R.J. Nagel (Ind. State) 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
No. 4 Boyd Michau (Ind. State) over Guillermo Gomez (Ill. State) 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
No. 5 Aaron Philips (Ind. State) over Alban Renard (Ill. State) 6-4, 6-4
No. 6 Alfredo Lagarda (Ill. State) over Dewald Linde (Ind. State) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles competition
No. 1 Arceo/ Philips (Ind. State) over Uskokovic/ Gomez (Ill. State) 8-6
No. 2 Kumantsov/ Nagel (Ind. State) over Nograbat/ Cozad (Ill. State) 8-1
No. 3 Linde/ Michau (Ind. State) over Renard/ Link (Ill. State) 8-4
--##--
