ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Illinois State men's tennis team opened play at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships on Thursday morning, posting a 1-5 combined singles record.
"Today was not one of our better efforts," said head coach Mark Klysner. "I think we were well-prepared, but simply didn't play the way we have been leading up to this event."
Sophomore Dylan Steffens had the only Redbird victory on the day, beating Tyler Gardiner of Michigan, 6-2, 7-6 (3).
"Dylan played great in his first match," Klysner said. "He beat a seed and someone who was the former number one junior in America. That was overall one of the best matches I've seen him play thus far."
With the win, Steffens advanced to the second round of qualifying singles, but then lost to Western Michigan's Pablo Mora, 6-2, 7-5.
Juniors Rodrigo Oliveira and Rolando Torrellas also competed for the Redbirds on Thursday, but Oliveira lost a tough match to Youngstown State's Bassem El Mekawi 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, and Marquette's Kristiyan Trukov defeated Torrellas, 6-1, 6-4.
Both players also lost their singles consolation games, with Michigan State's Michael Dube beating Oliveria, 6-3, 3-6, 10-3, and Northern Illinois' Tom Hjertonsson defeating Torrellas 6-4, 6-4.
The Redbirds will continue play at the ITA Midwest Regional Championships on Friday at 1 p.m.
Qualifying Singles Match Results (10-16-14)
Kristiyan Trukov (MU) def. Rolando Torrellas (ISU) 6-1, 6-4
Bassem El Mekawi (YSU) def. Rodrigo Oliveira (ISU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
Dylan Steffens (ISU) def. Tyler Gardiner (UM) 6-2, 7-6 (3)
Pablo Mora (WMU) def. Steffens (ISU) 6-2, 7-5
Tom Hjertonsson (NIU) def. Torrellas (ISU) 6-4. 6-4
Michael Dube (MSU) def. Oliveira (ISU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-3
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