After being named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, Guillermo Gomez will lead the Illinois State mens tennis team against the Vincennes Blazers on March 26, at 7 p.m. and against the St. Louis Billikens on March 27, at 1 p.m. Both matches will be held at the outdoor McCormick Courts.
During the Birds last road trip in Texas, Gomez went 3-1 in singles action, and 2-1 in doubles play. This season Gomez is 14-9 overall, and with the conference regular season just around the corner, he couldnt have picked a better time to step up his game.
Gomez however cannot do it by himself, so it will be vital that Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettinari set the tone early at the No. 1 doubles position and help win the all important doubles point to take the pressure off the singles play. The duo is 6-3 in spring play, and is coming off an inspiring win over the No. 50 doubles team nationally at Lamar.
Last season the Redbirds beat the Blazers in convincing fashion, 5-1, but lost to the Billikens 4-3. This year it will be important for the Birds to sweep the last two matches of their non-conference schedule and gain momentum heading into the regular season.
