The Illinois state mens tennis team had to fight the elements and a strong Montana State squad on Tuesday, and fell to both. Heavy rainfall forced the match from the outdoor courts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, to the indoor courts at the Brookhaven Country Club, where Redbirds senior Guillermo Gomez played inspired tennis to storm back from an early deficit to win at the No. 2 singles position. Despite the efforts from Gomez, the Birds fell to the Bobcats in a weather shortened match, 3-2.
Gomez, who has won two of his last three matches, was down (6-0, 5-1) in the second set when he staged a miraculous comeback to take the set (7-5). The momentum that he gained carried into the final set as he downed Marek Gebicki of Poland, (0-6, 7-5, 6-4).
The play of Gomez was the only bright spot for head coach Greg Kennett and his netters.
Guillermo raised his level of play today, said Kennett. After getting down big in the second set, he got on a big roll and gained some confidence. Once he got his confidence back he started finishing points and making big plays. He is a great kid and it was good to see him play so well.
The weather shortened the competition from its regular six singles matches to four, where the Birds only win came from Gomez at the No. 2 position. Freshman Luka Marinkovic saw his first action at the No. 1 spot, falling in straight sets to Federico Ueltschi, (6-2, 6-2). At the No. 3 position, Yohann Nograbat who is 7-6 in spring play, dropped his match to Braden Olson, (6-2, 6-2). At the No. 4 position, Alfredo Lagarda fell to Kyle McDonald, (6-2, 6-4). Lagarda is 9-4 in spring play.
The doubles action was reduced to one match, where Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari teamed up and dropped Jake Berriochoa and Tejeshwara Chigateri, (9-7).
The Redbirds will finish out their Texas road trip when they face Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, March 17 at 2 p.m.
