Dancer Post Match Interview
URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team improved to 18-0 in the first round of the 64-team NCAA Championships with a 4-1 victory over Western Michigan at home Friday night. No. 15 Illinois (20-10) advances to face No. 21 Mississippi State (17-8) on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT for a spot in the Round of 16 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
After dropping the doubles point, the Illini relied on wins from the bottom of their singles lineup to take out Western Michigan. Illinois took the first set in singles on all six courts and earned straight set victories at the No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 positions to secure the victory.
"Down at five and six singles, those are areas for us that haven't been stellar throughout the year. I think it's great for those guys near the bottom of the lineup to have that confidence and lead our team today to victory," head coach Brad Dancer said. "For us, we're excited for a great match and great challenge tomorrow and I'm sure the crowd will have a big part to do with it."
Pengxuan Jiang evened the score a 1-1 by picking up his third win of the dual season. Jiang topped Daniel Loebel 6-1, 7-5 on court five. Jiang has won two of his last three matches.
Asher Hirsch gave the Illini the lead with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Andrew Chan at No. 6 singles. Hirsch extended his winning streak to four.
At No. 4 singles, Julian Childers put the Illini one point away from clinching. Childers defeated Ruben Greiner 6-3, 6-2.
With the weather turning, rain suspended play before the match was completed. Forced to finish the match inside after a 23-minute delay, the Illini clinched the victory on court three.
No. 60 Aron Hiltzik secured the 4-1 victory over the Broncos with a straight set (7-5, 6-3) win over Matt Hamilton on court three.
Illinois will look to punch its ticket to the Round of 16 for the ninth time under Dancer's tenure as head coach.
#15 Illinois 4, Western Michigan University 1
Singles competition
1. #4 Aleks Vukic (ILL) vs. Jefta Kecic (WMU) 7-6 (7-5), 5-2, unfinished
2. #16 Jared Hiltzik (ILL) vs. Maik Steiner (WMU) 7-6 (7-0), 4-4, unfinished
3. #60 Aron Hiltzik (ILL) def. Matt Hamilton (WMU) 7-5, 6-3
4. Julian Childers (ILL) def. Ruben Greiner (WMU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Daniel Loebel (WMU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Asher Hirsch (ILL) def. Andrew Cahn (WMU) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Ruben Greiner/Stephen Payne (WMU) def. #87 Aron Hiltzik/Aleks Vukic (ILL) 7-6 (7-2)
2. Alex Jesse/Pengxuan Jiang (ILL) def. Matt Hamilton/Maik Steiner (WMU) 6-4
3. Jimmy Beckwith/Jefta Kecic (WMU) def. Jared Hiltzik/Asher Hirsch (ILL) 6-4
Match Notes:
Western Michigan University 20-6
Illinois 20-10; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (5,6,4,3)
Play was suspended during singles and moved indoors at 3-1.
Official: Doug Rice A-285
