By: The Blueboys defeated the Red Hawks, 6-3, to win their first Midwest Conference match in more than a decade.
QUINCY, Ill. – The Illinois College men's tennis team capped a historic week in the best way possible, defeating Ripon College, 6-3, for the first win by the Blueboys in the Midwest Conference since 2005. IC earlier this week snapped a losing streak dating back to 2012 with a 7-2 non-conference victory over Fontbonne. The Blueboys are now 2-11 (1-3 MWC) this season.
Moving to indoor courts in Quincy due to the rain in Jacksonville, the Blueboys weren't bothered by the new surroundings, winning two of the three matches in doubles and four of the six singles matches.
Miguel Vaca and
Michael Connolly took the first point of the day with an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles and
Elijah Rhoad and
Ryan Golab-Vice won the second point at No. 2 doubles with an 8-4 decision. The Red Hawks were able to salvage a point with a victory at No. 3 doubles.
In singles, Illinois College clinched the match quickly with straight-set wins at Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Connolly was the first to wrap up, claiming a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2. Vaca was next up, improving to 12-1 on the season with a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 1. Rhoad earned the winning point at No. 3 with a 6-3, 6-2 victory. Golab-Vice earned the sixth point for the Blueboys at No. 5 singles. After a 6-1 win in the first set, Golab-Vice's opponent could no longer continue and he took the victory.
Illinois College returns to action on April 17 with a pair of road matches in Iowa. The Blueboys will take on Grinnell College at 9 a.m., then make the trek to Cornell College for a 2 p.m. match.
