Feb. 2, 2007

Box Score

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Illinois State men's tennis team captures its first team win defeating Texas-Arlington 4-3 at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas. Alfredo Lagarda had a stand out performance defeating Daniel Omana (7-5, 6-4) at No. 2 singles.

Head coach Greg Kennett was very happy with his team's performance.

"UTA has a great program that has been strong for a long time," said Kennett. "Last year they won their conference. To beat a good program like UTA is great. I am very proud of the guys."

The match started with singles. At No. 3, Nuno Jacinto defeated Alberto Agais 6-0, 3-6, 7-5. Xavier Riart-Ferrer defeated Gonzalo Bienzobas at No. 5 (6-2, 6-1) tying the score at 3-3 going into doubles.

The doubles point was in danger as the No. 1 tandem; Yohann Nograbat and Oscar Beich were defeated 8-4 by Omana and Bienxobas. With two matches left the `Birds had to make a strong run for the final point. Jacinto and Daniel Tobar evened the score defeating Mattar and Javier Herrera 9-7 at No. 2. In a tie breaker, Luka Marinkovic and Riart-Ferrer defeated Agis and Dmitry Minkin 9-8, 7-1, giving the Redbirds the win.

Kennett was very impressed with his team's singles performances.

"We had some great performances today," said Kennett. "Alfredo beat a good player today and I was really proud of him. He played smart and strong under pressure. His win was a big one for us.

"Xavier started to play a little bit better and got an easy win to push us along.

"Nuno pulled out a tough match. It was a great match because both guys were playing well but Nuno really pulled through in the end to get the singles win."

The Redbirds take on Southern Methodist University tomorrow Saturday Feb. 3 in Dallas, Texas. The start time will depend on the weather. If possible the `Birds hope to play outside and the match will begin at 1p.m. If the match gets moved indoors the `Birds will take to the courts at 3:30 p.m.

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Illinois State 4, Texas-Arlington 3
Singles
No. 1 Diego Mattar (UTA) def. Yohann Nograbat(ISU) 6-3, 6-4
No. 2 Alfredo Lagarda (ISU) def. Daniel Omana (UTA) 7-5, 6-4
No. 3 Nuno Jacinto(ISU) def. Alberto Agis (UTA) 6-0, 3-6, 7-5
No. 4 Javier Harrera (UTA) def. Luka Marinkovic (ISU) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6
No. 5. Xavier Riart-Ferrer (ISU)def. Gonzalo Bienzobas (UTA)6-2, 6-1
No. 6 Dmitry Minkin (UTA) def. Oscar Beich (ISU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 Omana/Bienzobas(UTA) def. Nograbat/Beich (ISU)8-4
No. 2 Jacinto/Daniel Tobar (ISU) def. Mattar/Herrera (UTA) 9-7
No. 3 Marinkovic/Riart-Ferrer (ISU) def. Agis/Minkin (UTA) 9-8, 7-1