Feb. 10, 2008
Final Stats
ROCKFORD, Ill. -
Freshman Filip Miljevic came through with the decisive singles victory as the Illinois State men's tennis team defeated Northern Illinois, 4-3 Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Rockford Clock Tower Racquet Club. The win bumped Illinois State to 2-3 on the year and dropped Northern Illinois to 1-3.
Head coach Cris James was pleased to see his team break a three-match losing streak with the win.
"I just want to hand it to Filip for coming through in a huge spot," said James. "He pulled out a really impressive win for us with the match on the line. He played aggressive and just went out there and got it done for us. We are all happy to get a win today"
Miljevic's victory came with the match tied 3-3. After winning the first set, 6-2, Miljevic dropped the second set, 2-6, setting up a tie-breaking third set with Javier Bernabe. The freshman from Novi Sad, Serbia, came through for the Redbirds, winning the set, 7-5, and clinching Illinois State's 4-3 victory.
The Redbirds also picked up wins at the No. 3, 4 and 5 positions. Senior Oscar Beich defeated Adam Ford at the No. 3 position, 6-4, 6-3. Sophomore Xavier Riart-Ferrer bested Jimmy Chu, 6-1, 6-4, at the No. 4 spot. In the No. 5 flight, Junior Daniel Tobar defeated Matt Hansen, 7-6, 6-3.
Illinois State's losses came at No. 1 and No. 2. At the No. 1 position, Senior Luka Marinkovic was bested by Brian Livingston, 6-2, 6-2. Junior Nuno Jacinto was defeated at the No. 2 spot by Alex Friesen.
"It was a bit of a mixed performance for us today in singles," said James. "A few of our guys struggled a bit, but some of our other guys played pretty well."
In doubles, Illinois State was unable to capture the point. At the number one position, the No. 47 duo of Marinkovic and Tobar were bested by Ford and Livingston, 8-4. Beich and sophomore Michael Hobson came away with the `Birds lone doubles win, an 8-5 win over Alfonso Monroy and Hansen.
"We got off to a bit of a slow start in doubles today, but were able to bounce back with singles and capture a win," said James.
The Redbirds return to action Saturday, Feb. 16, against Washington (St. Louis) at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill. First serve is set for 1:30 p.m.
