March 10, 2008
NORMAL, ILL -
The Illinois State men's tennis team is escaping the cold Midwest by traveling to south for spring break. The `Birds will face Charleston Southern on Tues., March 11, at 8 a.m. (CT) and The College of Charleston on Wed., March 12, at 1 p.m. (CT). Both matches will be held in Charleston, S.C.
The matches will mark a transition in the Redbirds season as the team begins to play more matches outdoors.
"We have been able to utilize the nice weather down here and get outside a few times," said head coach Cris James. "Hopefully we will be ready to face some of the differences between indoor and outdoor competition. The wind, sun and temperature all make a difference. If it's cooler, the balls don't bounce as much and the game is slower. Also, once it warms up, conditioning becomes more of an issue."
Illinois State (5-3) comes into the matches on the heels of a four-match winning streak. In their last match, on Feb. 23, the `Birds bested Western Illinois, 6-1. Sophomore Xavier Riart-Ferrer leads the Redbirds in singles with a 7-1 record. Riart-Ferrer also boasts a five-match win streak. In doubles, Illinois State is 15-9 on the season with five of those wins coming from the duo of junior Nuno Jacinto and Riart-Ferrer.
Charleston Southern (6-5) also comes into Tuesday's match riding a four-match winning streak. Charleston Southern is lead by senior Steven Dean, who is 8-3 in singles at the No. 1 position and the owner of a seven-match winning streak. In doubles, the Buccaneers are paced by senior Guy David and freshman Grega Teraz who are 7-4 at the No. 1 doubles position.
The College of Charleston (4-5) will face Illinois State after defeating Florida A&M, 4-3, on March 8, and facing Chattanooga on Mon., March 10. In singles, the Cougars are paced by junior Omer Abramovich, who sports a 6-3 record at the No. 1 spot and is 6-4 overall. In doubles, the Courgars are lead by Abramovich and sophomore Steven Myers, who are 3-0 in No. 1 singles action.
The Redbirds will be without senior Oscar Beich, who is out indefinitely with a foot injury..
"It certainly hurts our team from a competitive standpoint," said James. "Oscar was playing really well for us. It's always tough to lose a guy like him, who is a leader on and off the court. As much as it hurts us though, I'm sure it's just as tough, if not tougher, on him since he can't be on the court competing."
Illinois State's next home match is Friday, March 21, versus Creighton. The match is slated to be the first home meet ever at the new Gregory Street Tennis Courts.
