Feb. 21, 2010
Final Stats
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -
Junior Filip Miljevic clinched the winning point at No. 1 singles to give the Illinois State men's tennis team a close, 4-3, victory Sunday over Big-Ten foe Purdue at the Schwartz Tennis Center in West Lafayette, Ind. Head coach Cris James, who played his collegiate tennis career with the Boilermakers and spent time as an assistant coach at Purdue, is excited for his team's win over his former Alma mater.
"For me this win is a big deal," James said. "I still have friends and colleagues at Purdue and it's a big pride factor for me. It was definitely our best match of the year in terms of energy, intensity and just fighting for every point out there."
Miljevic won the fourth point for the Redbirds with a victory in three sets against Purdue's P.J. Rose, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
"When it gets to those tough moments like we had Sunday, Filip is so determined," James said. "He is willing to go for it and he is always putting pressure on his opponent."
Also winning in singles was freshman Alexander Pelaez, who handed Eric Ramos just his second loss of the season, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 3 singles. Matej Zlatkovic earned the third singles point for the Redbirds, beating Branko Kuzmanovic, 6-4, 6-4.
"It was definitely a team effort in singles," James said. "We played the big points well and it was a total team effort. In a dual match, you are playing nine total matches and the odds are you won't win all of them. You have to be able to rely on your teammates to get it done and that's what we did [Sunday]."
In doubles, Zlatkovic teamed up with Timon Reichelt at No. 1 doubles to down Rose and Slavko Bijelica, 8-6. Zlatkovic and Reichelt now hold a stellar 13-3 record on the doubles court and have provided the `Birds with numerous important wins.
Recently, Illinois State has struggled to find a solid pair at No. 3 doubles. On Sunday James gave Pelaez and senior Michael Hobson the opportunity to help their team at the third doubles spot. The duo did not disappoint; beating Purdue's Ramos and Thomas Wilson, 8-6.
"In doubles we played solid," James said. "We didn't make any stupid mistakes. In the past we would either be doing too much or playing too passively and making mental mistakes. We were in each of the matches the whole time Sunday. I think we are starting to believe in ourselves as a team and seeing that we are a good team. It has taken some time, but we are building our confidence and believing in ourselves."
The Redbirds have a two-week break from action until their next match against Indiana, Saturday, Mar. 6. The dual will mark the beginning of a three-match road swing over spring break when, in addition to the Hoosiers, Illinois State will take on South Alabama and Wisconsin.
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