After three long days of competition, the Illinois State men's tennis were the point leaders at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic for a second-straight year. The `Birds defeated Boston College, DePaul and Marquette in the round-robin style tournament that was hosted by Marquette at the Western Racquet Club in Elm Grove, Wis.
With the injury of top player Luka Marinkovic in day two, the `Birds had to step up their play to defeat Boston College in doubles and Marquette in singles. Head coach Greg Kennett felt his team rose to the occasion.
"This win is really exciting for the team," said Kennett. "The guys had to move up a position to accommodate for Luka being out and they were able to play successfully at all levels."
Over three days of competition the Redbirds racked up 12 points in singles and two points in doubles. In the final tally, ISU defeated Boston College 4-3, Marquette 5-2 and DePaul 5-2.
With the injury to the usual No. 1 player, Marinkoivc, Illinois State had to step up their singles play, which proved to be the determining factor. The `Birds were victorious over Marquette 5-1 in singles. Yohann Nograbat, Nuno Jacinto, Oscar Beich, Alfredo Lagarda and Daniel Tobar all defeated their opponents from Marquette at the No. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 positions.
"The last day was crucial," said Kennett. "We knew that we had to beat Marquette in singles to gain the lead in the tournament."
In the final doubles dual the `Birds took on Boston College. Jacinto and Tobar rallied together to gain the win at the No. 2 position against Jason Schrist and Thomas Nolan (8-6). At No. 3, Marinkovic, though still injured and Beich defeated Brian Garber and Dennis Reardon (8-4). Nograbat and Lagarda were defeated at No.1 by Soma Kesthely and Sam Wagner (8-4).
"This was a really well played afternoon session," said Kennett. "I am proud of the team they really stepped up today."
The `Birds head to St. Louis, Mo. next weekend. The St. Louis Invitational is scheduled for all day Sep. 30.
Saturday Results
SINGLES: Illinois State 4, DePaul 2
No. 1--George Wang (DP) d. Luka Marinkovic (ISU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
No. 2--Yohann Nograbat (ISU) d. Austin Doerner (DP) 6-2, 6-3
No. 3--Nuno Jacinto (ISU) d. Jose Moncado (DP) 6-2, 6-4
No. 4--Oscar Beich (ISU) d. Vanja Grgec (DP) 6-2, 6-3
No. 5--Chris Nowak (DP) d. Daniel Tobar (ISU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 6--Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) d. Jack Komar (DP) 6-3, 6-0
No. 7--Danny Wilson (DP) d. Michael Hobson (ISU) 6-2, 6-3.
DOUBLES: Marquette 1, Illinois State 0
No. 1--Binkley/Rutherford (MU) def. Nogrobat/Lagarda (ISU) 8-5
No. 2--Jacinto/Tobar (ISU) def. Hagen/Van Lieshout (MU) 8-2
No. 3--Shao/Boulieris (MU) def. Beich/Link (ISU) 8-6
Sunday Results
DOUBLES: Illinois State 1, Boston College 0
No. 1-- Kesthely/Wagner (BC) d. Nogrobat/Lagarda (ISU) 8-4
No. 2--Jacinto/Tobar (ISU) d. Sechrist/Nolan (BC) 8-6
No. 3--Marinkovic/Beich (ISU) d. Garber/Reardon (BC) 8-4
SINGLES: Illinois State 5, Marquette 1
No. 1--Yohann Nograbat (ISU)d. Trent Hagan (MU) 6-7, 7-5, 10-7
No. 2--Nuno Jacinto (ISU)d. Brett Brinkley (MU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 3--Mark Rutherford (MU) d. Tim Link (ISU) 6-3, 7-5
No. 4--Oscar Beich (ISU) d. Steven Shao (MU) 6-4, 6-2
No. 5--Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) d. Niko Boulieris (MU) 6-3, 7-5
No. 6--Daniel Tobar (ISU) d. Greg Sirotek (MU) 6-2, 6-4
