McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's tennis team is set to host two matches against College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opponents Carroll University and Carthage College. The matches will take place this Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, at the Evergreen Racquet Club. Illinois Wesleyan, holding a 5-8 overall record and 1-1 in the CCIW, will first confront Carroll, who are at 8-7 overall and 0-3 in the CCIW, on Friday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. The following day, Saturday, April 12, they will face Carthage at 10 a.m. Carthage comes into the match with an 11-6 overall record and 1-1 in the conference.

Illinois Wesleyan is entering the upcoming matches off a decisive 7-0 victory over Elmhurst University, which took place on April 5. "The Titans rebounded for the CCIW win after dropping a 5-2 decision at Wheaton College earlier that day," reads a recent report. The team excelled in doubles play, with each of their trio of doubles taking 6-0 victories, and continued dominance in singles, seizing all six slots. Player highlights include juniors Ian Turnbull and Ben Vigneri, who both earned their second individual wins of the day at Wheaton. Turnbull conquered No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-0, while Vigneri secured his sets 6-1, 6-2. Ryan McCoy, a fifth-year player, took No. 3 individuals with a sweeping 6-0 win in both sets. Sophomore Thad Dillow at No. 4 and junior Griffin Hammond at No. 5 claimed their matches convincingly, as did sophomore Chase Tomecki in No. 6 singles.

The Titans have a 6-6 series tie with Carroll since their first meeting in 1990. Carroll won their last encounter, preventing IWU's chances of maintaining a four-match winning streak against them. Carroll suffered a recent 5-2 loss to Augustana College on April 4.

Carthage has a significant edge over Illinois Wesleyan, leading their series 30-6 since 1991. "IWU will look to secure its first win over the Firebirds since 2005 Saturday morning, and eyes avenging its 9-0 loss in the last meeting," the report notes. Carthage, following a 4-3 win over Augustana on April 5, prepares to meet Millikin before traveling to Bloomington for their match against IWU.

Match results will be published on the official IWU sports website once available.