April 1, 2006
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
Head coach Greg Kennett led his team to their sixth straight win Saturday afternoon at the McCormick Courts. The Illinois State men's tennis team (9-6, 1-0) downed Bradley (4-8, 0-1) in their first conference match of the season. The win also marks the `Birds sixth shut-out win this spring.
Illinois State's Djordje Uskokovic and Nuno Jacinto teamed up at the No. 2 position to defeat Brian Hanus and Matt Metully of Bradley 8-4, while Luka Marinkovic and Daniel Tobar took out the Braves' Marko Marevic and Evgeny Samoylou 8-4 at the No. 3 spot. Marinkovic and Tobar still have yet to record a loss together, as the two won their tenth doubles match as a pair.
Doubles set the tone for the rest of the match, according to Kennett.
"I was really pleased with our second an third doubles play," said Kennett. "It was very important to get the doubles point, and Djordje and Nuno played very well. Luka and Daniel also continue to play strong together. I think having a good doubles lineup will determine who wins the conference, I really believe that."
Uskokovic competed at the No. 4 position and extended his win streak to six over Matt Metully of Bradley, 6-2, 6-3. Also, Yohann Nograbat, Alban Renard, Jacinto and Marinkovic all recorded their fifth straight win in singles.
Kennett is proud to see how far the squad has come.
"The win streak is great, we are definitely moving in the right direction," said Kennett. "We don't want to think too far ahead or think too much about it, you just have to go out and play."
Illinois State will compete again next weekend at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at the McCormick Courts.
