April 3, 2010
Final Stats
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's tennis team opened Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday afternoon against Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., and collected its first MVC win of the season after defeating the Salukis, 7-0.
"We started a little slow in doubles but were able to get it going and get the job done," head coach Cris James said. "They have a good No. 1 doubles team but we were resilient and stuck with it and won the doubles point."
Matej Zlatkovic and Timon Reichelt won their 15th match as a doubles pair, defeating Brandon Florez and Chikara Kidera, 8-7 (7-5), at No. 1 doubles. Alexander Pelaez and Michael Hobson cruised past Mpilo Migogo and Orhan Spahic, 8-2, on the No. 2 doubles court.
The Redbirds sport a 10-7 record and have won three of their last four matches. ISU has four regular-season matches remaining, including three home matches.
Illinois State won five singles matches in straight sets Saturday, including a 6-2, 6-3 win for Filip Miljevic at No. 1 singles. Reichelt lost the first set against Southern Illinois' Kidera at No. 3 singles, but came back and won the match 6-7, 7-5, 10-6.
"We talked about making a statement in the MVC and I think we did that [Saturday]," James said. "We're energized and ready to go in conference play."
Southern Illinois drops to 6-9 this season and holds a 1-1 MVC record.
Illinois State returns to action Thursday, Apr. 8, at home against Bradley. The first match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., at the Gregory Street Tennis Courts in Normal, Ill. It will be the first outdoor home match of the spring season for the Redbirds.
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