Feb. 6, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's tennis team improved to 3-1 on the season with a 6-1 win over Illinois State (2-2), at Club Six-50 in non-conference action, Friday afternoon.

Memphis swept the doubles point to go up 1-0 early and senior Lee Taylor Walker (Jackson, Tenn./University School of Jackson) put the Tigers up 2-0 with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles, improving the No. 48 ranked singles player's record to 3-1 for the season.

Freshman James Spence (Christchurch, New Zealand/Christchurch Boys High School) made it 3-0 Memphis with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles over Benjamin Pettinari. Junior Alex Bucewicz (Melbourne, Australia/Salesian) sealed the win for Memphis with his 6-4, 6-1 win over Djardje Vskakovic at No. 3.

The remaining three singles matches all split their first two sets and the coaches decided to play a pro-set third match. Junior Marten Tamla (Tallinn, Estonia) came back from 4-1 down in the first set to force a tiebreak, but fell 7-6 when a forehand hit the net cord and fell back onto the Tigers' side of the court. Freshman Sam Withell (Sydney, Australia/Barker) battled to a 6-4, 5-7, 10-6 win at No. 5 singles, while sophomore Alex Jago (Launceston, Australia/Launceston) came back from an opening set 6-4 loss to win the next two sets, 6-4, 10-2.

Junior Mark Finnegan (Kill County Kildare, Ireland) also played an exhibition match at No. 7 singles, marking his first return to the Tiger line-up of the spring. Finnegan, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, will have another two weeks to get into match-shape, as Memphis' next match will not come until Feb. 20th at No. 65 Middle Tennessee. The Tigers' indoor practice facility, The Racquet Club of Memphis, will host the Kroger/St. Jude Tennis Tournament Feb. 16-22nd.

No. 70 Memphis 6, Illinois State 1
Doubles
No. 1 - Lee Taylor Walker/James Spence (UM) def. Djordje Uskokovic/Benjamin Pettinari (ISU), 8-2
No. 2 - Alex Bucewicz/Marten Tamla (UM) def. Alban Renard/Guillermo Gomez (ISU), 8-4
No. 3 - Alex Jago/Luke Campbell (UM) def. Ben Cappuccitti/Yohann Nograbat (ISU), 8-5

Singles
No. 1 - No. 48 Lee Taylor Walker (UM) def. Benjamin Pettinari, 6-1,6-0
No. 2 - James Spence (UM) def. Ben Cappuccitti, 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 - Alex Bucewicz (UM) def. Djordje Uskokovic, 6-4, 6-1
No. 4 - Yohann Nograbat def. Marten Tamla (UM), 7-6, 1-6, 10-5
No. 5 - Sam Withell (UM) def. Alban Renard, 6-4, 5-7, 10-6
No. 6 - Alex Jago (UM) def. Alfredo Lagarda, 4-6, 6-4, 10-2
Order of singles finish: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 4