March 29, 2008
Final Stats
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -
Senior Luka Marinkovic used his 70th career singles victory to help push the Illinois State men's tennis team (8-4) to a victory on the road against Saint Louis (8-9) on Saturday, March 29 at the Sunset Tennis Center in St. Louis, Mo. The win was the second consecutive for the Redbirds and the seventh in their last eight matches.
For the second-straight match the `Birds captured the doubles point despite having to surrender the No. 3 match due to a injury-limited five-man roster. Marinkovic and junior Daniel Tobar bested the duo of Felipe Acosta and Paul Feder at the No. 1 doubles position, 8-5. At the No. 2 spot, Junior Nuno Jacinto and freshman Filip Miljevic defeated Sean McManus and P.J. Hendrie, 8-6.
"I was happy with our doubles play today," said head coach Cris James. "We got off to some good starts today. Having only five players available has helped our guys to understand how important every single match is. They have come out with more focus and urgency which is good to see."
Illinois State captured three singles matches, retired in two, and forfeited the No. 6 position due to injuries. Marinkovic's career milestone came with a No. 2 position victory over Hendrie, 6-0, 6-1. Tobar won the flight No. 3 match versus McManus, 7-5, 6-4. The `Birds third singles victory came from sophomore Michael Hobson at the No. 5 spot with his win over Feder, 6-3, 6-3.
The Redbirds return home tomorrow, Sunday, March 30 to host Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley. First serve is set for 1 p.m. The match will be played at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts in Normal, Ill., if weather is inclement the match will be moved to the Evergreen Racquet Center in Bloomington, Ill.
