Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois men's tennis team, ranked 15th nationally, secured a 6-1 victory over Penn State at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center on Friday evening. With this win, Illinois improved to a season record of 10-5 and opened their Big Ten conference play with a win. Meanwhile, Penn State fell to an overall record of 4-11.

Assistant coach Tim Kopinski expressed satisfaction with the team's performance: "It's great to open up the Big Ten season with a win," he said. "It's never easy playing on the road but our guys handled the situation well. We're looking forward to the challenge ahead in Columbus."

In doubles competition, Karlis Ozolins and Hunter Heck, ranked No. 4, quickly defeated Stefan Simeunovic and Jack Martuccio with a score of 6-1. The duo of Lucas Horve and Oliver Okonkwo, ranked No. 46, secured the doubles point for Illinois by defeating Nolan Ranger and Ari Cotoulas 6-3.

The singles matches saw No. 47-ranked Heck defeating Simeunovic 6-2, 6-2. Kenta Miyoshi, ranked No. 55, won against Martuccio with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-1. Despite an earlier loss by Ozolins in singles play, Alex Petrov managed to beat Ranger 6-3, 6-3. Okonkwo, now ranked No.116, overcame Cotoulas with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

William Mroz sealed the match for Illinois by winning against Alexander Sterin with scores of 6-2 in both sets.

Illinois is set to face Ohio State next at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center in Columbus on Sunday at 11 a.m.