The dominating No. 1 doubles team of Ben Pettinari and Djordje Uskokovic will be asked to win their third and fourth consecutive matches this weekend to set the tone early and to win the very important doubles point for the Illinois State mens tennis team. Since teaming up against Texas-Arlington the duo has won two consecutive doubles matches and has led the team to win the doubles point in the last two competitions. Two years ago they were named the Missouri Valley Conference doubles team of the year.
The Birds will face Northern Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday they will face Western Michigan at 12:00 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Evergreen Racquet Club. Last season the Birds faced the Huskies falling, 5-2. The initial meeting between the two teams was in 1934, with the Redbirds winning the match, 5-1. WMU has won the last three meetings, with the score of last seasons match, 6-1.
Head coach Greg Kennett realizes the importance of having his No. 1 doubles team start things off with a win.
If Djordje and Ben can win the doubles point it makes things a lot easier, Kennett said. They really believe in each others game, and they play great together.
Kennett believes that the Birds have formed a very competitive rivalry between the teams they face this weekend. However, he wants to make sure that his players check their emotions at the door and focus on winning.
This is definitely a rivalry, said Kennett. I know that the intensity will be there and the will to win, but we have to play smart and keep our heads in the game. We can not get caught up in trying to revenge for our past losses, we must keep our thoughts on winning.
