Chambana Sun

The No. 15-ranked Illinois men's tennis team faced a challenging match against top-ranked Ohio State, resulting in a 4-1 defeat at the Ty Tucker Tennis Center on Sunday afternoon.

Head coach Brad Dancer commented on the team's performance, stating, "We were not prepared. That's on the coaches."

The competition began with Ohio State's Andrew Lutschaunig and Justin Boulais, ranked No. 47, securing a victory over Illinois' Hunter Heck and Karlis Ozolins, who are ranked No. 4, with a score of 6-3. The Buckeyes clinched the doubles point by defeating Mathis Debru and Kenta Miyoshi with a score of 6-4.

Despite three consecutive losses for Illinois in singles matches, Karlis Ozolins managed to put points on the board for his team by defeating Justin Boulais with scores of 6-4 and 6-3.

Looking ahead, Illinois will return home to host No. 18 Michigan State on March 30 at noon Central Time before facing Michigan at noon Central Time on March 31. Both matches are scheduled to take place at Atkins Tennis Center.

In doubles competition:

1. Robert Cash/Bryce Nakashima (Ohio State) vs. Lucas Horve/Oliver Okonkwo (Illinois) was unfinished at a score of 4-3.

2. Andrew Lutschaunig/Justin Boulais (Ohio State) defeated Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (Illinois) with a score of 6-3.

3. Cannon Kingsley/JJ Tracy (Ohio State) won against Mathis Debru/Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois) scoring 6-4.

In singles competition:

1. Karlis Ozolins (Illinois) defeated Justin Boulais (Ohio State), finishing with scores of 6-4 and 6-3.

2. Cannon Kingsley (Ohio State) overcame Hunter Heck (Illinois), also scoring two sets of 6-4.

3. Jack Anthrop from Ohio State beat Alex Petrov from Illinois with identical set scores of 6-4.

4. JJ Tracy from Ohio State was leading against Kenta Miyoshi from Illinois when their match was left unfinished at scores of 6-3 and an ongoing second set at 5-2.

5. Alexander Bernard secured another win for Ohio State by defeating Oliver Okonkwo from Illinois with scores of 6-4 and 6-2.

6. The match between Robert Cash from Ohio State and William Mroz from Illinois remained unfinished with current scores being Cash leading one set at six games to three and Mroz trailing four games to four in the second set.