The final point of the competition came down to the last singles match of the day for the Illinois State mens tennis team. However, Ian Vazquez-Rowe of Texas-Arlington beat Junior Alban Renard, (6-4, 7-5) to win the match 4-3, for the Mavericks. The match was played in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday at the Little Rock Racquet Club.
Sophomore Yohann Nograbat won for the fifth consecutive time for the Birds as he beat Josey Trimmier, (6-3, 6-3) at the No. 6 position for his first win in match play of the spring season. His four previous wins came during his title run at the No. 7 position at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships. Despite the team loss head coach Greg Kennett was pleased with Yohanns play.
Yohann was the bright spot for us today, Kennett said. It is good to have him back, and it is nice to see him on a roll, he really played well.
In other singles matches, Djordje Uskokovic played at the No. 1 position despite a sore ankle, he fell to Sandy Farquharson, (6-3, 6-3). Guillermo Gomez saw action at the No. 2 position dropping Niels Buksik in straight sets, (7-6, 6-2). Alfredo Lagarda, who was looking for his seventh straight singles victory fell short at the No. 4 position losing to Alberto Agis, (6-3, 6-3).
The Redbirds were able to capture the doubles point behind the strong play of senior Ben Pettinari and Uskokovic at the No. 1 position. They shot down the Mavericks team of Buksik and Farquharson, 8-5. Kennett who was displeased with the doubles play at the Valleys individual championships was glad to see his Birds come out and play with some passion during the doubles matches.
We played with some good intensity, Kennett said. We still need to toughen up mentally, but the fire was there in the doubles matches.
Also in action for the Redbirds in doubles play was the team of Gomez and Lagarda at the No. 2 position, they fell to Diego Mattar and Alberto Agis, 8-3. At the No. 3 position Luka Marinkovic and Alban Renard beat Trimmier and Vazquez-Rowe of UTA 8-4.
The Birds will be back in action at the Little Rock Racquet Club on Sunday the13th, at 8:00 a.m., against the Trojans of Arkansas-Little Rock.
