Jan. 17, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. - Freshman Alexander Raa recorded his first collegiate win at the No. 2 singles flight, but the UIC men's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision versus host Northwestern Sunday night.

"Alex Raa settled in with a hard fought win, his serve was the difference helping him fight off match points to get the victory," said UIC head coach Hans Neufeld. "James Li also pushed his opponent to the limit. All three freshmen have competed well in their first collegiate team matches."

After Raa recorded his win, Northwestern recorded convincing victories in the rest of the singles flights. Fellow UIC freshman James Li, playing right behind Raa at the third slot, battled in a tough 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6) loss to the Wildcats' Spencer Wolf.

In doubles play, Rahul Kamath and Raa, UIC's doubles No. 2 tandem, fell in a hard-fought 8-4 pro-set decision, but Northwestern locked up the doubles point with respective identical 8-2 wins at both the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles positions.

UIC will continue non-conference play on Saturday, when the Flames host the University of Chicago in the home opener beginning at 7 p.m.

No. 59 Northwestern 6, Illinois-Chicago 1
Singles:
1: Joshua Graves (NU) def. Luiz Gonzaga (UIC), 6-1, 6-2
2: Alexander Raa (UIC) def. Sidarth Balaji (NU), 6-4, 2-6, 1-0 (13-11)
3: Spencer Wolf (NU) def. James Li (UIC), 6-2, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6)
4: Tobias Reitz (NU) def. Alan Reifer (UIC), 6-2, 6-1
5: Raleigh Smith (NU) def. Nicolas Ospina (UIC), 6-0, 6-1
6: Chris Jackman (NU) def. Camilo Giraldo (UIC), 6-0, 6-1

Doubles:
1: Graves/Wolf (NU) def. Shepardson/Gonzaga (UIC), 8-2
2: Reitz/Smith (NU) def. Kamath/Raa (UIC), 8-4
3: McCarthy/Balaji (NU) def. Oroskar/Reifer (UIC), 8-2

Order of Finish
Singles: (6, 5, 4*, 1, 2, 3)
Doubles: (3, 1*, 2)