Sept. 23, 2011
Results
NOTRE DAME, Ind. -
Illinois State junior Alexander Pelaez, as well as sophomores Tuomas Manner and Muddappa Appanervanda, led the Redbirds by winning each of their singles matches at the Tom Fallon Invitational on the Courtney Tennis Center courts Friday night. ISU won three of six singles matches during the first day of play at the tournament.
Pelaez defeated Zeyad Montasser of Western Michigan, 6-1, 6-3 while Manner won his match, 6-3, 6-3 against Otavio Perim of Marquette. Appanervanda also came out on top beating Marquette's Thibault Troude, 6-3, 6-0.
Head coach Cris James was excited to watch as Appanervanda claimed his first college victory.
"It was exciting to see Muddappa play so aggressively out there," James said. "He played confidently and won pretty convincingly."
Freshman Willi Peter fell short to opponent Michael Fredricka of Notre Dame, 0-6, 6-1, 10-1. Jacob Wilson was defeated by Jonathon Schwerin of Marquette, 6-3, 6-4. Notre Dame's Spencer Talmadge came out on top against Skip Span, 6-4, 6-3.
"Our new guys did not necessarily play poorly or do one particular thing incorrect, they just lacked confidence on the courts," James said. "I will definitely encourage them to play more aggressively for (Saturday's) matches. They just need more swagger out there."
The Redbirds were not as fortunate in doubles action. Pelaez and Manner lost against Yannick Goosens and Ali Shabib of Cleveland State, 8-5 while Peter and Wilson lost to Western Michigan's Simon Blomberg and Nadin Indre, 8-3. Appanervanda and Span fell short against Wyatt McCoy and Michael Moore of Notre Dame, 8-4.
Illinois State will be back in action as competition begins with singles play starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
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