In a spirited showdown at the Atkins Tennis Center, the No. 8 Baylor men's tennis team faced a tough 4-1 defeat against No.
32 Illinois. The Bears struggled to recover after dropping the doubles point, setting the stage for a challenging evening.
Match Breakdown
The action kicked off with doubles, where Baylor's duo of Alexandru Chirita and Zsombor Velcz fell 6-3 on Court One. However, the Bears quickly bounced back with Devin Badenhorst and Blake Anderson clinching a 6-3 victory on Court Three. Despite this momentum, Baylor couldn't seal the deal on Court Two, as Luc Koening and Connor Van Schalkwyk were edged out 6-4.
Transitioning to singles, Illinois capitalized on their doubles success. They secured back-to-back wins on Court Four, with Chirita falling 6-2, 6-1, and on Court One, where Badenhorst was defeated 6-4, 6-0.
Baylor's bright spot came from Court Three, where No. 27 Connor Van Schalkwyk delivered a hard-fought 7-6(3), 6-4 victory.
Yet, Illinois sealed their win on Court Two, as No. 39 Velcz succumbed to No.
22 Kenta Miyoshi in a gripping three-setter, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Looking Ahead
The Bears will look to regroup as they continue their road trip, heading to Rice on March 2nd at the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
Match Results
Doubles: 1.
Gabriel Debru/Tyler Bowers (ILL) def. Alexandru Chirita/Zsombor Velcz (BUMT) 6-3
- Kenta Miyoshi/Will Mroz (ILL) def.
Luc Koenig/Connor Van Schalkwyk (BUMT) 6-4
3.
Devin Badenhorst/Blake Anderson (BUMT) def. Zach Viiala/Sasha Colleu (ILL) 6-3
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2
Singles: 1.
Gabriel Debru (ILL) def. #13 Devin Badenhorst (BUMT) 6-4, 6-0
- #22 Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) def.
#39 Zsombor Velcz (BUMT) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
3.
#27 Connor Van Schalkwyk (BUMT) def. Will Mroz (ILL) 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
- Adam Jilly (ILL) def.
#73 Alexandru Chirita (BUMT) 6-2, 6-1
5.
Hayden Jones (ILL) vs. Luc Koenig (BUMT) 3-6, 6-6, unfinished
- Sasha Colleu (ILL) vs.
Louis Bowden (BUMT) 6-4, 5-7, 0-1, unfinished
Order of finish: 4, 1, 3, 2
Baylor's journey continues as they aim to bounce back and regain their winning form.