Source: FightingIllini.com
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:50:00 PM EST
Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:52:28 PM EST
Posted: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:50:00 PM EST
Published: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:52:28 PM EST
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Three members of the Illinois men's tennis saw their run at the 2009 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships come to an end today, as freshman Dennis Nevolo and sophomore Roy Kalmanovich fell short in singles, while Nevolo and partner Ruan Roelofse dropped their opening round doubles match later in the day.
"Both guys fought and competed very well in singles," Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said. "Each of them had good game plans and executed them well to a certain extent on both courts. We had a disappointing showing in doubles by not playing with the sharpness and focus necessary at this level. Auburn came out focused and steady and took the match from us today."
Earlier in the day, No. 50-ranked Kalmanovich came out firing on all cylinders against top-seed Arnau Brugues, taking the first set with a commanding 6-4 decision. However, Kalmanovich's bid for his first singles All-America honor fell short, as Brugues responded in the next two sets, 6-1, 6-3.
"It came down to Roy's inconsistencies with his serve and his inexperience in terms of being able to relax and trust his shots," Dancer added. "Ultimately, that led to fatigue out there this morning."
In the other singles match of the morning for the Illini, Nevolo started out strong against No. 9-16 seed Nate Schnugg of Georgia, taking a 6-4 victory in the first set. Unfortunately, Schnugg came back to take the next two sets, 6-3, 7-5, ending No. 39-ranked Nevolo's bid for All-America singles honors.
"Dennis strayed from his tactics in the second set and gave Schnugg some easy points in that set," Dancer said. "Once Dennis got into that rhythm, his inexperience in transition play showed, which was highly costly as he was in a good position to win that match."
In the afternoon doubles match, the 21st-ranked Illini duo of Nevolo and Roelofse faced off against No. 10-ranked Tim Puetz and Alexey Tsyrenov of Auburn. The Illini tandem fell 6-3, 6-0 to the experienced Auburn duo in the Round of 32 and the 2009 season with an overall record of 16-6.
"Both guys fought and competed very well in singles," Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said. "Each of them had good game plans and executed them well to a certain extent on both courts. We had a disappointing showing in doubles by not playing with the sharpness and focus necessary at this level. Auburn came out focused and steady and took the match from us today."
Earlier in the day, No. 50-ranked Kalmanovich came out firing on all cylinders against top-seed Arnau Brugues, taking the first set with a commanding 6-4 decision. However, Kalmanovich's bid for his first singles All-America honor fell short, as Brugues responded in the next two sets, 6-1, 6-3.
"It came down to Roy's inconsistencies with his serve and his inexperience in terms of being able to relax and trust his shots," Dancer added. "Ultimately, that led to fatigue out there this morning."
In the other singles match of the morning for the Illini, Nevolo started out strong against No. 9-16 seed Nate Schnugg of Georgia, taking a 6-4 victory in the first set. Unfortunately, Schnugg came back to take the next two sets, 6-3, 7-5, ending No. 39-ranked Nevolo's bid for All-America singles honors.
"Dennis strayed from his tactics in the second set and gave Schnugg some easy points in that set," Dancer said. "Once Dennis got into that rhythm, his inexperience in transition play showed, which was highly costly as he was in a good position to win that match."
In the afternoon doubles match, the 21st-ranked Illini duo of Nevolo and Roelofse faced off against No. 10-ranked Tim Puetz and Alexey Tsyrenov of Auburn. The Illini tandem fell 6-3, 6-0 to the experienced Auburn duo in the Round of 32 and the 2009 season with an overall record of 16-6.
