Men's Tennis Falls to No. 8 Illinois 4-0

Friday, March 15

Montgomery, Ala.

All Day

University of Louisville

Illinois<BR>(Blue-Gray National Champ.)

March 15, 2002 | Men's Tennis

March 15, 2002

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The University of Louisville men's tennis team fell to second-seeded and eighth-ranked Illinois 4-0, in opening-round action at the 16-team Blue-Gray Tennis Classic in Montgomery, Ala. Illinois was ranked No. 1 in Omni Hotels Collegiate Tennis Rankings two weeks ago.

Jamal Parker and Brian Wilson defeated Alex Sivertsen and Jake Kirts 8-4 at No. 2 doubles. Illiniois' No. 58 Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder defeated Matt Mayer and Brent McCombe 8-3 at No. 3 to give the Illini the doubles point. The top-seed match between Louisville's Cody Conley and Octavian Nicodim and No. 9 Amer Delic and Michael Calkins played was suspended when Illinois clinched the point.

In singles, ninth-ranked Delic defeated Conley 6-3, 7-5 at No. 1. No. 43 Phil Stolt topped Nicodim 6-3, 6-2 at the three-seed and Chris Martin defeated McCombe 6-2, 6-4 at No. 6. All other singles matches were suspended.

"We took leads early in the match, but Illinois fought back under pressure, which is why they were No. 1 in the country two weeks ago," said U of L head coach Rex Ecarma. "We were close in the remaining three matches, they could have gone either way."

The No. 66 Cardinals (7-11) will play No. 56 Fresno State Friday at 4:00 p.m.

No. 8 ILLINOIS 4, No. 66 Louisville 0Singles1. No. 9 Amer Delic (ILL def. Cody Conley (LOU) 6-3, 7-5 2. No. 92 Brian Wilson (ILL) vs. Paulo Carvalho (LOU)   DNF3. No. 43 Phil Stolt (ILL) def. Octavian Nicodim (LOU)  6-3, 6-24. No. 71 Michael Calkins (ILL) vs. Matt Mayer (LOU)    DNF5. No. 67 Nathan Zeder (ILL) vs. Alex Sivertsen (LOU)   DNF6. Chris Martin (ILL) def. Brent McCombe (LOU)  6-2, 6-4
Doubles1. No. 7 Amer Delic/Michael Calkins (ILL) vs. Cody Conley/Octavian Nicodim (LOU)        DNF2. Jamal Parker/Brian Wilson (ILL) def. Alex Sivertsen/Jake Kirts (LOU) 8-43. No. 58 Mike Kosta/Nathan Zeder (ILL) def. Matt Mayer/Brent McCombe (LOU)     8-3