Tennessee Tennis Stages Impressive Comeback to Defeat Illinois in ITA Kickoff Weekend Opener
The No. 14 ranked Tennessee Volunteers (4-1) showcased their resilience and determination as they rallied to secure a 4-2 victory over Illinois in their opening match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. This hard-fought win came on the heels of a challenging road loss to No. 4 Wake Forest, marking a strong rebound for the Vols. Meanwhile, the Fighting Illini (0-1) faced a disappointing start to their season, suffering their first defeat.
The match began on a shaky note for Tennessee, as they dropped the doubles point early in the afternoon. Despite a valiant effort from Jan Kobierski and Alan Jesudason, who managed to secure the Vols’ sole doubles win, the team fell short in two tightly contested matches, handing Illinois the initial advantage. Kobierski and Jesudason’s victory marked a significant turnaround for the pair, who had struggled in their previous outings. This win was Kobierski’s second doubles victory of the year and Jesudason’s 10th, highlighting their growing chemistry on the court.
However, the Vols’ veteran duo of Shunsuke Mitsui and James Newton couldn’t replicate their usual success, suffering defeats in their respective doubles matches. Mitsui, paired with Alex Kotzen, fell 6-4 to Illinois’ Tyler Bowers and Zach Viiala, marking his second consecutive doubles loss—a rare occurrence in his Tennessee career. Similarly, Newton and Moreno were defeated 6-4 by William Mroz and Jeremy Zhang, extending Newton’s losing streak to two matches and adding to Moreno’s season struggles.
Associate head coach Matt Lucas acknowledged the team’s slow start, stating, “We were flat to begin with. We weren’t hitting our shots or serves the way we needed to. Most of these guys have been in high-pressure situations before, so it was surprising to see us come out unprepared. But they showed great character to turn things around.”
The Vols’ fortunes shifted dramatically in the singles matches, where they dominated by winning four out of six contests. Alex Kotzen set the tone early, clinching Tennessee’s first point with a commanding performance. Kotzen’s victory over a highly ranked opponent underscored his reputation as one of the nation’s top players. “Alex beat a really good player on No. 1, which is what we expect from him,” Lucas remarked. “He’s a leader on this team, and he delivered when we needed him most.”
Shunsuke Mitsui followed suit, securing Tennessee’s second point with a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory over William Mroz. Despite sustaining minor injuries during the match, including a hit to his elbow and knee, Mitsui displayed remarkable toughness to seal the win. “He’s as tough as they come,” Lucas said. “He took a couple of hits, but he’s a fighter, and he’ll be ready for the next match.”
Jose Garcia, a true freshman, delivered a standout performance to clinch Tennessee’s third point. The Knoxville native battled past Jeremy Zhang in a thrilling three-set match, winning 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. Garcia’s victory not only gave the Vols their first lead of the day but also marked his 10th singles win of the season, improving his record to 10-5. “I’m incredibly proud of Jose,” Lucas said. “For a freshman to step up and deliver in a third set like that is a testament to his talent and mental toughness.”
The Vols’ resilience and depth ultimately proved too much for Illinois, who had entered the match with momentum from four singles wins at their own Fighting Illini Invite. Despite pushing four matches to a decisive third set, the Illini couldn’t overcome Tennessee’s determination and skill.
With this victory, Tennessee advances to the ITA Kickoff Weekend championship, where they will face Michigan at 1 p.m. tomorrow. The Vols will look to build on their momentum and continue their quest for a strong start to the season. As Coach Lucas emphasized, “This team has shown they can bounce back and fight through adversity. We’ll need that same energy and focus tomorrow against a tough Michigan squad.”
