Oct. 18, 2008
Results
The Illinois State's men's tennis team ended its fall season Saturday at the ITA Central Regional Championships. Sophomores Timon Reichelt and Filip Miljevic were stopped by a doubles team from Southern Illinois and were unable to advance into the doubles quarterfinals at the Dills Indoor Stadium.
The duo of Reichelt and Miljevic lost to Eric West and Anton Leonenko of Southern Illinois, 9-8(2), to capture a spot in the quarterfinals. The pair finished the fall with a 6-2 doubles record.
Head Coach Cris James felt the team played well together and will use this weekend as a tool to prepare for the upcoming spring season.
"It was a disappointing loss for the guys," said James. "We had some opportunities to pull through for the win, but we just didn't finish. I think Timon and Filip make a good doubles team; we just have some things to work on for the spring season."
In singles, junior Michael Hobson defeated Nicholas Spinazze (Arkansas), 6-3, 7-5, to advance to the consolation semifinals. Hobson improved his overall singles record to 6-5. The Redbird was pulled from competition after Illinois State's doubles team fell in the main draw.
"Hobson played well, he made a significant improvement this weekend," said James. "He has played better here than he has in the previous fall tournaments. This gives him something to build off of for the spring."
ITA tournament play continues through Monday, Oct. 20.
The tennis team resumes its season Jan. 23, when the Redbirds will compete at the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.
