March 24, 2011

CHICAGO- The UIC men's tennis team welcomes Horizon League foe Detroit on Friday, March 25, to the Hinsdale Racquet Club in Hinsdale, Ill., beginning at 11:30 a.m.

UIC (2-9, 0-1 Horizon League) haven't played a match since March 5th, where they opened up conference play at home against Green Bay. The Flames started out the match with an impressive doubles point win, but unfortunately dropped the match to the Phoenix, 5-2.

In doubles play, senior Luiz Gonzaga and freshman Alan Reifer took the first doubles match over GB's Christoph Hopfe and Henning Jess in the No. 3 position, 8-6. To clinch the doubles point for the Flames was freshman Alexander Raa and junior David Robare defeating GB's top duo of Fabian Gogolin and Craig Cox, 9-7.

Gonzaga recorded the only point for the Flames in singles play, as he defeated GB's Christoph Hopfe at the No. 4 position in a battle, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8.

"Detroit is a very competitive team," said head coach Hans Neufeld. "We have to continue to play solid doubles, which gave us the victory last year over Detroit."

Detroit Titans are coming into this match on Friday with an overall record of 4-8. Last weekend on March 18 (Friday) and March 19 (Saturday), the Titans opened up conference play against foes Wright State and Butler, respectively at home. The Titans dropped both matches by identical scores of 5-2, at the Franklin Athletic Club in Southfield, Mich.

The Flames are looking to repeat last year's performance, with a 4-3 victory over the Titans at the Titans Tennis Complex in Detroit.