April 6, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's tennis team will battle to extend their six-match win streak this weekend, which is a feat the `Birds have not accomplished since the 2002-03 season. The Redbirds (9-6, 1-0) will host Drake (16-1, 1-0) and Creighton (4-6, 0-1) this weekend at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, April 9, respectively. Both dual matches will be held at the McCormick Courts.
The odds seem to be stacked against ISU as No. 72 Drake was picked to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, just two points ahead of Illinois State. During head coach Greg Kennett's career at ISU he has split the series with the Bulldogs, and has lost the last two meetings against them. Drake is also heading into the match on a 10-match win streak.
Kennett knows this is one of the biggest matches his squad will face this season.
"This is a big match for us, but you don't want to put too much pressure on it," said Kennett. "It's going to be a big match for both teams. Drake has a solid lineup at the one, two and three, but the top of our lineup has been playing very well and our four, five and six players are very strong. So I really believe the match will come down to the doubles point.
Yohann Nograbat has been competing at the coveted No. 1 singles position and will likely compete against Drakes ace, Sergi Vila, who is a two-time winner of the MVC Player of the Week award.
ISU has recently been playing some of the best tennis Kennett has seen out of the squad this season.
"Nuno (Jacinto) and Yohann are playing the best tennis they have played all year," said Kennett. "Yohann has been injury free and when he gets his game going he can beat anyone."
The Redbirds will also compete against Creighton on Sunday. During Kennett's career, he has led ISU to six victories and has yet to record a loss against the Bluejays.
"Creighton has a good coach and they have a nice team," said Kennett. "Even though they haven't been as strong as the other Valley teams, they are a good young team. We feel good about playing them this weekend."
