Feb. 29, 2008

Results

URBANA, Ill. - The Michigan State men's tennis team traveled to Illinois on Friday, for a showdown with the No. 13 Fighting Illini. Illinois came out looking dominant in the Spartans' first Big Ten matchup of the season, defeating MSU, 6-1. At No. 1 doubles, No. 21 MSU's Nick Rinks and Adam Monich added another impressive win to their undefeated record of 9-0, downing No. 20 Ryan Rowe and Billy Heiser, 8-6. The wins marks the senior duo's third victory of the season over a ranked opponent.

Illinois came out and took the early advantage over the Spartans, taking two of three doubles matches and taking a 1-0 lead. At No. 2, No. 27 Illinois' Brandon Davis and Ruben Gonzales defeated Alex Forger and Billy Gardner, 8-2, while MSU's John Allare and Tyler Sauerbrey lost at No. 3, 8-4, to Connor Roth and Abe Souza.

In singles action, Illinois used the momentum from its doubles victory, taking out the Spartans in five of six matches. No. 77 Illinois' Gonzales defeated Alex Forger at No. 2, 6-2, 6-1, while No. 13 Rowe knocked off MSU's Nick Rinks, 6-7, 7-6, 1-0, at No. 1 singles. Monich picked up the only win for the Spartans, as he took out Brandon Davis, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 4.

"It was a real battle tonight," said MSU head coach Gene Orlando. "We won three first sets and got off to a good start, but Illinois fought back, and I don't think the final results are a true indication of the kind of competition it was tonight. The guys competed really hard, and we just came up a little short. I'm proud of Adam (Monich) and Nick (Rinks). They are still undefeated and picked up another quality win in doubles tonight. They were down early and they came back in a tough environment to pick up the win."

The Spartans return to action on Sunday, as they travel to Purdue for a 12 p.m. matchup with the Boilermakers.