CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team suffered its first loss on the season Saturday night, falling 4-0 at No. 10 North Carolina. No. 7 Illinois moves to 4-1 on the season.
"I give North Carolina a lot of credit," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Our guys never stopped fighting. We were a point away from swinging the doubles and had a number of opportunities we didn't capitalize on in singles. North Carolina is a good team. We will be excited to get back home Friday vs. Notre Dame."
Illinois trailed early as it lost the doubles point for the first time the season. Alex Jesse and Jared Hiltzik fell 6-4 to No. 1 Clark/Kelly on court one. Illinois responded with a win at the No. 3 position. Julian Childers and Pengxuan Jiang defeated Boyden/Schneider 6-3. In the deciding match, Vukic and Aron Hiltzik were unable to claim the tiebreak, falling 7-6(3) to Murray/Schnur.
In singles, the Illini claimed the first set in two matches and forced two other matches to a third set. However, the Tar Heels claimed victories at the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 positions. Pengxuan Jiang fell to No. 47 Robert Kelly in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) on court five. No. 43 Brett Clark followed by taking out No. 41 Aron Hiltzik 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.
North Carolina secured the victory with a win at No. 4 singles as Jack Murray defeated No. 67 Julian Childers 6-0, 0-6, 6-1.
The Illini were up a set in two of the remaining three matches when play was stopped.
Up next, Illinois hosts Notre Dame on Feb. 5 for the second time this season. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
#10 North Carolina 4, #7 Illinois 0
Doubles
1. No. 1 Robert Kelly/Brett Clark (UNC) def. Jared Hiltzik/Alex Jesse (ILL), 6-4
2. Brayden Schnur/Jack Murray (UNC) def. Aleks Vukic/Aron Hiltzik (ILL), 7-6(3)
3. Julian Childers/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Ronnie Schneider/Blaine Boyden (UNC) , 6-3
Singles
1. Brayden Schnur (UNC) vs. No. 21 Jared Hiltzik (ILL), 7-6 (5), 3-6, 0-0 DNF
2. No. 13 Ronnie Schneider (UNC) vs. Aleks Vukic (ILL), 2-6, 6-6 DNF
3. No. 43 Brett Clark (UNC) def. No. 41 Aron Hiltzik (ILL), 6-4, 6-3
4. Jack Murray (UNC) def. No. 67 Julian Childers (ILL), 6-0, 0-6, 6-1
5. No. 47 Robert Kelly (UNC) def. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL), 6-4, 6-3
6. Anu Kodali (UNC) vs. Asher Hirsch (ILL), 3-6, 3-5 DNF
Match Notes
Records: # 10 North Carolina 5-0; #7 Illinois 4-1
Order of match finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,5,3)
