If the Illinois State mens tennis team has any hope of winning its first MVC championship, it has to come out of its last road trip of the season unscathed. The Birds will need outstanding play from its No. 1 doubles team of Djordje Uskokovic and Ben Pettianri. They must set the tone for the match by helping the Birds win the all important doubles point. The Redbirds will travel to Drake on Saturday for a 12 p.m. match and on Sunday they will face off against Creighton at 11 p.m.
The duo of Pettinari and Uskokovic are 9-3 at the No. 1 doubles position and have won five consecutive matches with their last loss coming on March 13, against Tyler Junior College.
Head coach Greg Kennett feels that the key to winning these weekend matches starts with great doubles play from his No. 1 position.
We have to get solid play out of Djordje and Ben this weekend, said Kennett. They have to stay relaxed and not get caught up in the conference implications of these matches. If they stay mentally tough they will be fine.
Kennett realizes the importance of these matches and knows that if the Birds can beat the reigning conference champion Bulldogs on Saturday they have a chance to win their first MVC crown.
Tomorrow is huge for us, said Kennett. If we can get by Drake we have a very favorable home schedule to finish up conference play.
