The Illinois State mens tennis team (8-12, 4-4) was able to get off to an early lead in its match against Wichita State Saturday, but could not hold on, and fell to the Shockers in the team's regular season finale, 4-3, in Wichita, Kan.
The Redbirds were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead by securing the doubles point. Djordje Uskokovic and Guillermo Gomez picked up a victory in the No. 1 spot by defeating Juan Escalante and Gabriel Loredo. Alban Renard and Chris Cozad sealed the point with a win over Carlo Contente and Marko Despot in the No. 3 position.
When the singles matches started the Birds could not hold onto the momentum that they gained in the doubles competition, however, and dropped four out of the six matches.
Possibly the most disappointing singles loss for the Redbirds was when Despot put an end to Alfredo Lagardas nine-match win streak with a 6-2, 6-2 victory in the No. 3 position.
ISU ended the regular season in fifth place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Birds will next head to Peoria, Ill. for the 2004 Missouri Valley Conference Championships, beginning Friday, April 23.
Doubles
1. Uskokovic (ISU) def. Escalante/Loredo (WSU) 9-7
2. Gubic/Vujaklija (WSU) def. Pettinari/Nograbat (ISU) 8-6
3. Renard/Cozad (ISU) def. Contente/Despot (WSU) 8-6
Singles
1. Goran Vujaklija (WSU) def. Djordje Uskokovic (ISU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
2. Yohonn Nograbat (ISU) def. Carlo Contente (WSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Marko Despot (WSU) def. Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Gabriel Loredo (WSU) def. Chris Cozad (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
5. Boris Gubic (WSU) def. Guillermo Gomez (ISU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
6. Alban Renard (ISU) def. Juan Escalante (WSU) 7-6, 6-2
