KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's tennis team is seeking its first win in the NCAA Tournament in school history as the Broncos travel to Champaign, Ill. to face No. 15 seeded Illinois on Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m.
“We were grinding it out for two months in the Spring so the two-week break was good for us both emotionally and from a physical standpoint as well,” WMU Head coach Dave Morin said. “I think we'll be ready to play our best tennis on Friday and we are looking forward to a first class event hosted by the University of Illinois.”
The Broncos come into the match at 20-5 overall and have won 12 of their last 13 matches. WMU won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Regular Season Championship and the MAC Tournament Championship. The Brown & Gold is 0-10 in the NCAA Tournament and 0-4 against the Fighting Illini with 4-0 losses in 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2012. The Broncos are 2-12 all-time against the Fighting Illini, but went 2-1 against the Big Ten this season, with wins over Michigan State and Purdue and a loss against Iowa. However, the Fighting Illini beat all three of those teams 4-0.
Illinois enters the match at 19-10 and lost to No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament after coming in as the No. 3 seed in the tournament. They have three individual players ranked in the ITA/Oracle Singles rankings in No. 4 Aleks Vukic, No. 16 Jared Hiltzik and No. 60 Aron Hiltzik. The doubles team of Aleks Vukic and Aron Hiltzik are ranked No. 87.
The Broncos are led in singles play by the duo of First Team All-MAC performers Jefta Kecic (17-13) and Maik Steiner (18-16), both sophomores. Kecic has won his last three matches while Steiner earned a big win in the MAC Tournament Championship against Ball State. WMU also boasts two Second Team All-MAC selections in senior Ruben Greiner (21-5) and junior Matt Hamilton (24-8). Greiner has won four straight and 17 of his last 18 while Hamilton comes in on a five-match winning streak. Rounding out the Broncos lineup is junior Daniel Loebel (26-10), who was named to the All-MAC Tournament Team and senior Andrew Cahn (20-7) who is coming in on a six-match winning streak.
In doubles play, the duo of Hamilton/Steiner have rolling all year long, amassing a 27-5 record overall and a 5-1 record in MAC play. The team of Kecic/senior Jimmy Beckwith have won eight straight matches on their way to a 14-2 overall record. Greiner/Stephen Payne are 5-1 together this season.
Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUMensTennis for all updates about the team!
