March 2, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
Senior Djordje Uskokovic, honored Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, will lead the Illinois State men's tennis team into battle against IUPUI this weekend. The `Birds (4-6) will host the Jaguars (0-8) at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at the Evergreen Racquet Club.
ISU will attempt to establish a win streak against IUPUI after last weekends win over Northern Illinois, 4-3. During the match, Uskokovic defeated his NIU opponents at the No. 3 singles position and No. 2 doubles spot, while Alban Renard took down his opposition at the No. 1 singles slot in a come-from-behind win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The two seniors contributed key match points en route of the `Birds first win on the road and first road doubles point at an away match.
It is essential the team starts a win streak this weekend according to head coach Greg Kennett.
"It means a lot to get a win streak started this weekend because it's about building our team confidence which can be the deciding factor in winning our conference this season," said Kennett. "We are becoming more confident in our abilities and our level of play against our opponents. As our season has progressed, I am more comfortable with our team and their reactions to different situations during match play."
IUPUI will compete against Western Kentucky on Friday March 3 and Illinois State the next day in hopes of capturing its first win over the weekend. The Jaguars have struggled this season and dropped their first eight matches under first-year head coach Brandon Currie.
Despite IUPUI's record, Kennett believes the Jaguars still have a lot to offer.
"The coach at IUPUI is a good young coach and he will be around for awhile," said Kennett. "There is no doubt he will have his team ready to compete on Saturday."
The `Birds are looking to launch a win streak against the Jaguars to gain more confidence as league play approaches in the next month.
