Feb. 25, 2006
Final Stats
DEKALB, Ill. -
Seniors Alban Renard and Djordje Uskokovic led the men's tennis team to victory Saturday afternoon in their first successful road match of the season over Northern Illinois, 4-3. Illinois State also won its first road match doubles point of the season. The Redbirds move to 4-6, while the Huskies drop to 2-5.
Head coach Greg Kennett was pleased with the long awaited road win.
"It was great to get a road victory today. It means a lot to our team and our confidence," said Kennett. "Northern is a good team especially at home and hopefully in the next month as we prepare for the conference season we can use this match as a booster."
Renard who competed with Oscar Beich at the No. 1 doubles positions lost 8-6 and in singles play Renard came up short in his first set 3-6. However, Renard didn't give up and managed to overcome the slow start. He turned around to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 for the No. 1 singles point.
Kennett was excited to see Renard defeat his opponent in a come from behind win.
"I was most impressed with Alban today," said Kennett. "After his loss in doubles and his loss in the first set of his singles match, he kept his head up and won. It really got the team going and put us over the top to ultimately win the match."
Uskokovic was the only player to win both his doubles and singles matches against NIU. He partnered with Nuno Jacinto at the No. 2 doubles slot and won 8-5. In singles play, Uskokovic dominated the No. 3 singles position in a 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Kennett was glad to see Uskokovic step up against the Huskies.
"Along with Alban, Djordje led us to win the match as well," said Kennett. "He was the only one to take both his doubles and singles matches on the team. He played well the whole day and we need that kind of leadership from him."
ISU will host IUPUI Saturday. March 4 at the Evergreen Racquet Club at 2 p.m.
