24th ranked Illini Men's Tennis Upended By Arizona State in NCAA 1st Round

From University of Illinois Sports Information Office:

May 5th, 2023

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The No. 24 Fighting Illini men's tennis team fell to Arizona State (14-11), 4-3, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the Murr Athletics Center on Friday afternoon.

The Illini end the season with a 19-12 record.

"Thank you to Harvard for hosting a first class NCAA event," head coach Brad Dancer said. "Big credit to Arizona State. They had guys step up and play well in critical spots. Tim Kopinski and I felt like we could have gotten more out of this team and when you feel that way as a coach, you know you need to do a better job preparing the men. That will be our focus in the off-season and moving forward.  "

Doubles started off shaky with Oliver Okonkwo and Mathis Debru falling 6-0 to Murphy Cassone and Max McKennon.

Lucas Horve and Gabrielius Guzauskas turned it around, winning their match 7-5 over Nicola Cigna and Roi Ginat.

The Sun Devils clinched the doubles point, however, when Karlis Ozolins and Hunter Heck lost, 7-6 (5), to Jacob Bullard and Constantinos Koshis.

Heck made quick work with McKennon, finishing first with a 6-0, 6-1 score and evening up the match. Alex Petrov followed suit, taking his match, 6-1, 6-2 over Koshis.

Kenta Miyoshi took care of business on court six, beating Cigna, 6-2, 6-3. Ozolins then dropped his match to Cassone, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

Okonkwo dropped his match to Bullard 7-6 (5), 7-5, while William Mroz fell to Giant, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Podcasts

Sturdy’s Illini Hoops Thoughts & More - #513

Listen

Illini Mistakes Costly in 34-16 Loss to Ohio State #512

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - #1 tOSU at #17 Illini - S5Ep9 - 10.10.25

Listen

I on the Illini - The B1G & Private Equity with Tony Altimore #511

Listen

I on the Illini - Illini Football Preview - Ohio State - #510

Listen

Illini Defeat Purdue on the Road 43-27 - #509

Listen

IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular - Illini FB Beats USC on to Purdue, BB & Game Predictions - 10.3.25 - S5E8

Listen

I on the Illini - Illini FB Preview: Purdue #508

Listen

I on the Illini LIVE/Illini Central Postgame - Redemption Win Over USC - #507

Listen

Indiana Loss, USC Preview and Hoops Update S5Ep7 9.26.25

Listen

Illini Football Preview - USC - #506

Listen

Heat Checks & Hail Marys – 6 Days to ?

Listen

Illini Nuked by Hoosiers 63-10 - #505

Listen

Illini vs Indiana, 2025-26 Illini Hoops Schedule, Game Predictions & More - S5Ep6

Listen

2025-26 Illini B1G Basketball Schedule - #504

Listen