Alfredo Lagarda picked up his sixth straight singles win, helping the Illinois State mens tennis team (7-9, 3-1) blank Southern Illinois 7-0, which marked the Redbirds second straight shutout, Saturday, in Carbondale, Ill.
Lagarda had been playing in the No. 6 singles spot for most of the season, but a slew of injuries for the Redbirds forced him to play up a spot in the No. 5 position Saturday. The move did not faze the Illinois State freshman, however, as he came away with a three set victory over Tomas Gonzalez, 1-6, 7-6, 10-6.
Lagarda was not the only Bird who had an impressive showing. Chris Cozad continued his impressive play of late, winning his fourth straight match by defeating Julian Angel Botero in the No. 3 spot, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. It also took Yohann Nograbat three sets to earn his win match in the No. 2 position, but he eventually disposed of Alexandru Nomicos, 6-1, 2-6, 6-1.
Head coach Greg Kennett was impressed with the reslience that his players showed when they were taken to the limit agaist the Salukis.
We played very tough in our third sets today, Kennett said. Chris, Alfredo, and Yohann all fought very hard in their third sets and played the way that we know they can.
The Redbirds will look to keep their win streak alive against the Drake Bulldogs, April 10, at the McCormick Courts, in Normal, Ill.
SIU vs. ISU (ISU 7-0)
Doubles
No.1-Uskokovic/ Gomez (ISU) def. Ilievksi/ Soswa (SIU)-9-7
No.2-Renard/ Cozad (ISU) def. Nomicos/ Botero (SIU)-8-2
No.3-Bong/ Gonzalez (SIU) def. Nagrobat/ Lagarda (ISU)-8-5
Singles
No.1-Djordje Uskokovic (ISU) def. Peter Bong (SIU)-4-6, 2-2, (def.)
No.2-Nagrabat (ISU) def. Nomicos (SIU)-6-1, 2-6, 6-1
No.3-Chris Cozad (ISU) def. Julian Angel Botero (SIU)-6-3, 3-6, 6-3
No.4-Guilermo Gomez (ISU) def. Bojan Ilievski (SIU)-1-6, 6-2, 3-2, (def.)
No. 5-Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) def. Tomas Gonzalez (SIU)-1-6, 7-6, 10-6
No. 6-Alban Renard (ISU) def. Lukasz Soswa (SIU)-6-3, 6-3
