May 9, 2008

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URBANA, Ill. - The Xavier University men's tennis team ended its record season with a 4-0 loss to 15th-ranked Illinois in its NCAA Tournament First Round match at the Atkins Tennis Center on IU's campus. This was the first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance for the Musketeers in program history.

Illinois (19-8) captured the first point of the match after winning two of the doubles contests. The 42nd-ranked Illini duo of Marc Spicijaric and Ruben Gonzales defeated XU's Ra'ees Ismail and J.T. Torbeck, 8-0, at No. 2 doubles followed by UI's win at the three-spot with Brandon Davis and Waylon Chin getting past Anthony Palmenter and Brian Starr, 8-1.

Xavier (16-9) battled in singles play with Doug Matthews fighting against 21st-ranked Ryan Rowe at No. 1, but their match was abandoned with Rowe leading 6-2, 4-2. Chris Herrlinger's match was also abondoned as he was playing No. 42 Gonzales at the two-spot, with Gonzales in the lead, 6-1, 6-5.

The Illini took three singles matches to earn the victory as Spicijaric defeated Ismail in straight sets at No. 3, Billy Heiser got past Torbeck, 6-1, 6-0, at in the four-slot and Roy Kalmonovich downed Brian Schubert, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 5.

Mike Dieciuc's singles match at No. 6 was also unfinished as he trailed IU's Waylon Chin, 6-3, 4-3, when the match was called.

Results
5/9/2008 at Urbana, Ill.
#15 Illinois 4, Xavier 0

Singles competition
1. #21 Ryan Rowe (ILL) vs. Doug Matthews (XAV) 6-2, 4-2, unfinished
2. #42 Ruben Gonzales (ILL) vs. Chris Herrlinger (XAV) 6-1, 6-5, unfinished
3. Marc Spicijaric (ILL) def. Ra'ees Ismail (XAV) 6-0, 6-0
4. Billy Heiser (ILL) def. J.T. Torbeck (XAV) 6-1, 6-0
5. Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) def. Brian Schubert (XAV) 6-2, 6-2
6. Waylon Chin (ILL) vs. Mike Dieciuc (XAV) 6-3, 4-3, unfinished

 Doubles competition
1. #11 Ryan Rowe/Billy Heiser (ILL) vs. Chris Herrlinger/Doug Matthews (XAV) 5-2, unfinished
2. #42 Marc Spicijaric/Ruben Gonzales (ILL) def. Ra'ees Ismail/J.T. Torbeck (XAV) 8-0
3. Brandon Davis/Waylon Chin (ILL) def. Anthony Palmenter/Brian Starr (XAV) 8-1

Match Notes:
Xavier 16-9, 6-1
University of Illinois 19-8, 8-2; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (3,4,5)
Xavier vs. University of Illinois
May 9, 2008
NCAA First Round
Atkins Tennis Center