UIC fell to DePaul, 6-0, in the first match of the season Saturday night.

"We were very happy to be back in action in live competition.  Our doubles teams started out hot and showed good effort," Hans Neufeld said.

The shorthanded Flames, whose season was delayed due to COVID-19 issues, had only five players available due to ongoing protocols.  Three players made their collegiate debuts.

UIC will return to action Saturday against Illinois State.

Doubles Results

• Pelle Strandberg and Luiz Dos Santos took the court at #1 and fell in a 6-3 final.
• Freshmen Artem Iermolov and Casey Schrader teamed up to give DePaul's #2 team a battle, but lost 6-4.

Singles Results

• Schrader got off to a rough start in #5 singles, but won a game in the second set before falling 6-0, 6-1.
• Gustavo Schwebel, another freshman playing in his first match, challenged the Blue Demons at #3.  He was unable to get the late breaks he needed, falling 4-and-3.
• Strandberg played his first match as #1 in UIC's lineup.  His result was a 6-1, 6-2 defeat.
• Dos Santos, also moving up in the lineup, was a 6-2, 6-0 victim in the #2 flight.
• Iermolov played stronger late in his match, but fell 6-2, 6-3 at #4.

Up Next

• UIC will host Illinois State Saturday.
• The match will take place at 6:00 pm in Hinsdale.
• The Flames and Redbirds played a tight match last season, with ISU eking out a 4-3 win.