Djordje Uskokovic and the rest of the Illinois State mens tennis team (6-9, 2-1) broke a two match losing streak and got back to their winning ways Friday, by rolling over Evansville, 7-0, at the Carson Tennis courts, in Evansville, Ind.
The Redbirds hit on all cylinders from the get go, taking the doubles point in a clean sweep, something the team had been unable to do in their previous two matches. Yohann Nograbat and Alfredo Lagarda highlighted the doubles sweep with a shutout in the No. 3 doubles position over Ryan Gross and Austing Scott, 8-0.
The Birds built on the momentum that they gained in the doubles competition as they moved into singles play. ISU was basically unstoppable, as the Redbirds did not drop a single set in the six matches that they played.
Although each of the Redbird singles players earned victories, head coach Greg Kennett feels that Uskokovic took his game to another level in his 6-4, 6-0 win over Derek Boland in the No. 1 spot.
Uskokovic played an exceptional match today, Kennett said. He is on quite a roll right now in Missouri Valley Conference play, and if he can get a win tommorrow against Southern Illinois, he would have to be considered one of the top players in the Valley.
Uskokovic will get the opportunity to prove his merit in Valley when he leads the Redbirds into their match with Southern Illinois, Saturday, at 11 a.m., in Carbondale, Ill.
Singles
No. 1 Djordje Uskokovic def. Derek Boland 6-4, 6-0
No. 2 Yohann Nograbat def. Levan Datashvili 6-1, 6-3
No. 3 Chris Cozad def. Jason Gorewicz 6-2, 6-0
No. 4 Guillermo Gomez def. Derrick Kincheloe 6-0, 6-2
No. 5 Alfredo Lagarda def. Ryan Gross 6-1, 6-2
No. 6 Alban Renard def. Austin Scott 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
No. 1 Uskokovic/Gomez def. Boland/Gorewicz 8-2
No. 2 Cozad/Renard def. Datashvili/Kincheloe 8-2
No. 3 Nograbat/Lagarda def. Gross/Scott 8-0
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