Jan. 28, 2011

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The UIC men's tennis team opened up its weekend road swing with a 7-0 dual match loss at Western Michigan Friday afternoon at the West Hills Athletic Club.

"We obviously gave it our all, and were competitive in the matches," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "As a team we need to mature as the season goes on, and take advantages and capitalize on our opportunities".

Western Michigan tallied the doubles point with three-consecutive regulation pro-set wins. Juniors Scott Shepardson and Dave Robare, teaming at No. 2 doubles, battled in an 8-6 loss to the Broncos' Kazuya Komada and Casey Cullen.

The Flames dropped straight-set decisions in the respective first, No. 2, third, No. 4, fifth, and No. 6 singles positions. Senior Luiz Gonzaga, playing No. 2 singles, dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision against the Broncos Michael Calderone.

UIC (1-3) will face host Illinois State at Evergreen Racquet Club in Bloomington, Ill, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Western Michigan 7, UIC 0
Singles:
1. Kazuya Komada (WMU) def. Alexander Raa (UIC), 6-1, 6-3
2. Michael Calderone (WMU) def. Luiz Gonzaga (UIC), 6-1, 6-2
3. Simon Blomberg (WMU) def. Dave Robare (UIC), 6-0, 6-2
4. Casey Cullen (WMU) def. James Li (UIC), 6-2, 6-1
5. Brad Noel (WMU) def. Alan Reifer (UIC), 6-4, 6-1
6. Zeyad Montasser (WMU) def. Nicolas Ospina (UIC), 6-4, 6-1

Doubles:
1. Michael Calderone/Thomas Calderone (WMU) def. Alexander Raa/Luiz Gonzaga (UIC), 8-1
2. Kazuya Komada/Casey Cullen (WMU) def. Scott Shepardson/Dave Robare (UIC), 8-6
3. Pablo Olivarez/Brad Noel (WMU) def. Gautham Oroskar/Rahul Kamath (UIC), 8-4

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