Illini Fall to No. 14 North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Illinois men’s tennis fell, 4-0, to No. 14 North Carolina Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C. 

Illinois now sits at 6-4 on the year. 

“It was a frustrating weekend for us,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “We didn’t capitalize on opportunities we created on multiple doubles courts. Then in singles, we had some guys that were out played. Credit to North Carolina on court four. We had other guys that were battling. We are not good enough to compete at anything less than our toughest mindset.”

William Mroz and Gabrielius Guzauskas lost their doubles match to Karl Poling and Will Jansen, 7-6 (2), however, Mathis Debru and Oliver Okonkwo defeated Ryan Seggerman and Casey Kat, 7-6 (5). 

North Carlina went to clinch the doubles point after Brian Cernoch and Benjamin Kittay beat Hunter Heck and Lucas Horve, 7-6 (4). 

Mroz was the first to fall, after losing 6-1, 6-1, to Jansen. Heck was next, falling 6-4, 6-0, to Cernoch. Lastly, freshman Kenta Miyoshi lost his match, 6-1, 6-3, to Poling. 

Guzauskas, Okonkwo and Nic Meister’s matches all went unfinished. 

The Illini will come home to compete with UCF and Notre Dame on Feb. 10-11. Both matches are set for 6 p.m.

Results

Singles competition

1. Brian Cernoch (NC) def. #95 Hunter Heck (ILL) 6-4, 6-0

2. #9 Ryan Seggerman (NC) vs. Gabrielius Guzauskas (ILL) 7-6 (7-3), 3-0, unfinished

3. Will Jansen (NC) def. William Mroz (ILL) 6-1, 6-1

4. Karl Poling (NC) def. Kenta Myoshi (ILL) 6-1, 6-3

5. Anuj Watane (NC) vs. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) 6-3, 1-3, unfinished

6. Chris Li (NC) vs. Nic Meister (ILL) 6-4, 1-2, unfinished

Doubles competition

1. #48 Mathis Debru/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Ryan Seggerman/Casey Kania (NC) 7-6 (7-5)

2. Brian Cernoch/Benjamin Kittay (NC) def. Hunter Heck/Lucas Horve (ILL) 7-6 (7-4)

3. Karl Poling/Will Jansen (NC) def. William Mroz/Gabrielius Guzauskas (ILL) 7-6 (7-2)