North Carolina
Illinois (NCAA Tournament Second Round)
No. 18 North Carolina Falls In NCAAs To No. 17 Illinois 4-1
May 14, 2011 | Men's Tennis
May 14, 2011
URBANA, Ill. - The No. 18 University of North Carolina men's tennis team finished their dual match campaign in the NCAA Regional second round, falling 4-1 to No. 17 Illinois.
Playing the match on at Illinois' home Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, the Tar Heels (16-8) and Fighting Illini (18-10) battled for a chance to face No. 1 Virginia in the national round of 16.
Illinois got off to a fast start in doubles, taking the point behind wins at the No. 2 and 3 flights. North Carolina salvaged some momentum when No. 36 Joey Burkhardt and Stefan Hardy took the first flight over No. 78 Johnny Hamui and Abe Souza, 8-6.
In singles, Illinois again struck first blood, winning at the top flight. The Tar Heels pulled a match back through Cameron Ahari in the sixth flight, who beat Bruno Abdelnour 6-2, 0-6, 6-1 to bring the Heels within a match. But Ahari's win would be the only on the day for Carolina, as the home Illini finished off the match with wins in the fourth and fifth flights.
With the team season completed, No. 22 Jose Hernandez will represent the Tar Heels at the NCAA Individual Championships May 25-30.
No. 17 Illinois 4, No. 18 UNC 1
Records: Illinois 18-10, North Carolina 16-8
Singles:
1. #15 Dennis Nevolo (ILL) d. Jose Hernandez (UNC) 6-1, 6-2
2. #83 Brennan Boyajian (UNC) v. KU Singh (ILL) 3-6, 6-1, 4-5, suspended
3. Stefan Hardy (UNC) d. #122 Roy Kalmanovich (ILL) 6-7, 6-2, 3-2 suspended
4. #81 Abe Souza (ILL) d. Joey Burkhardt (UNC) 7-6, 6-1
5. #104 Johnny Hamui (ILL) d. William Parker (UNC) 6-3, 6-4
6. Cameron Ahari (UNC) d. Bruno Abdelnour (ILL) 6-2, 0-6, 6-1
Doubles:
1. #36 Joey Burkhardt and Stefan Hardy (UNC) d. #78 Johnny Hamui and Abe Souza (ILL) 8-6
2. Dennis Nevolo and Brian Alden (ILL) d. Cameron Ahari and Brennan Boyajian (UNC) 8-3
3. KU Singh and Stephen Hoh (ILL) d. Jose Hernandez and Zach Hunter (UNC) 9-8(5)
Order of Finish:
Singles: 1, 6, 4, 5
Doubles: 2, 1, 3
Players Mentioned
