University of North Carolina Athletics
Men's Tennis Set To Host Fighting Illini Saturday
January 29, 2014 | Men's Tennis
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's tennis team will be back in action Saturday when it plays host to the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Coach Sam Paul's Tar Heels will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-2 loss at #15 Duke last Sunday that dropped the Tar Heels from the ranks of the unbeaten. Carolina is 5-1 heading into the match against the Illini.
UNC is ranked 36th in this week's Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings, up six spots from last week's ranking. The Fighting Illini come to Chapel Hill with a national ranking of #19 after they won an ITA Kickoff Weekend event last Sunday.
This is the third match for Carolina in a five-match stretch against other nationally-ranked squads. UNC will play at #47 Louisville next Wednesday and at home against #34 TCU the following Sunday.
So far the Tar Heels have posted wins over East Carolina, Wofford, Virginia Commonwealth, Howard and San Diego State.
The Fighting Illini are 2-0 and will play Friday at #15 Duke at 6 p.m. before facing off against the Tar Heels.
Coach Sam Paul is fielding one of the youngest teams of his coaching career. The starting lineup currently consists of senior Nelson Vick, junior Oystein Steiro, sophomore Brett Clark and a trio of freshman - Brayden Schnur, Ronnie Schneider and Jack Murray.
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Carolina has a 5-3 all-time dual match record against the Fighting Illini.
Players Mentioned
