Feb. 5, 2010
Final Stats
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Illinois State men's tennis team lost to the Western Michigan Broncos, 5-2, Friday. Alexander Pelaez and Matej Zlatkovic earned two points for the Redbirds at the No. 3 and No. 4 courts, respectively. However, Illinois State (2-2) came up short in a few close doubles matches to a Western Michigan team that is ranked No. 75 nationally and was picked to finish first in the Mid-American Conference.
"We came out on the losing end of a close match against a tough team," head coach Cris James said. "We fought hard so it is frustrating and disappointing but at the same time we know they are a very good team."
Pelaez and teammate Filip Miljevic lost at No. 1 doubles, 8-6, and Zlatkovic and Timon Reichelt were defeated, 9-8, in a close match at No. 2 doubles.
"In close matches like these we have to learn, as a team, what it takes to win," James said. "When it comes down crunch time, we have to be confident in what we do well, and we have to know how to take the other player out of his element. Those two things will help you be decisive during the match. That is something Western Michigan did on Friday and we did not."
The Redbirds are now 2-2 this season. Saturday they will travel to Chicago where they will take on the Blue Demons of DePaul. The first match is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., at the Lakeshore Athletics Club. Last season, Illinois State lost to DePaul, 7-0, for their fifth-consecutive loss in February.
"Saturday we have a similar match to the one against Western Michigan," James said. "DePaul is a tough team and we will have to adjust to a different court surface. Hopefully we can come away with a win."
Illinois State will travel home Sunday to take on the Eastern Illinois Panthers at the Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill. Match time has been changed from the previously scheduled 1:00 p.m., to 12:15 p.m.
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