Men’s Tennis Falls to 3rd-Ranked Fighting Illini

VU-Mens-Tennis-Falls-to-3rd-Ranked-Fighting-IlliniThe Valparaiso men's tennis team had its five-match winning streak snapped at the hands of third-ranked University of Illinois Saturday morning at the Eck Tennis Pavilion in South Bend, Indiana.

Tim Kopinski/Ross Guignon handed Dave Bacalla (Skokie, Ill./Niles North) and Chase Hamilton (Hinsdale, Ill./Central) a 6-3 defeat at No. 2 to secure the doubles point. The Fighting Illini clincher came after Lucas Waak (Manitowoc, Wis./Roncalli)/Garrett Gardner (Poland, Ohio/Poland) dropped a 6-1 decision at No. 3.

Guignon led off singles play with a 6-2 first-set win at No. 6 versus Waak. Guignon was ahead 3-0 in the second set when Waak retired.

The Fighting Illini got out to a 3-0 lead after the conclusion of the No. 4 singles match. Sophomore Kyle Dunn (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac) dropped a 6-2, 6-2 match to Aleks Vukic.

Illinois claimed the match thanks to Jared Hiltzik's 6-2, 7-5 victory over Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) at No. 2.

Kopinski added a 6-4, 6-2 triumph for Illinois versus Charlie Emhardt (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) at No. 3.

Valpo (9-2) will now embark on its spring trip to Orlando, Florida beginning next week. The Crusaders are slated to play Coe College and St. Thomas Aquinas (NY) in a double-header on March 7th.