Illini Nevolo final Big Ten Player at USTA/ITA Indoor Champs

Despite sending 10 players to the 2010 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, the Big Ten only had one player left on the final day.

Illini Dennis Nevolo held strong in the consolations after a first round loss to Louisville’s Austin Childs in the main draw, taking out top-seeded Alex Domijan of Virginia in his first match.  He then defeated Georgia’s Wil Spencer and NCAA singles finalist (and third seed) John-Patrick Smith of Tennessee.  In the final match – which Illinois Head Coach Brad Dancer called one of Nevolo’s best during the event – the Orange and Blue junior fell to Kentucky’s Eric Quigley, the tournament’s No. 2 seed.

The consolation final was a demonstration of top college tennis by both players, with Nevolo coming back after a first set loss (7-5) to take the second (6-4).  It was a tight final set as both players held serve until the end with Quigley taking a 6-4 set and fifth place in the tournament.

Also making a good showing at the ITA Indoors was Ohio State’s Blaz Rola, who had taken out Eric Quigley in the first round of main draw singles, 6-7(3),7-6(4),6-2, and registered two more wins before falling in the semifinals to Southern California’s Steve Johnson.  Denise Muresan of Michigan also picked up wins before losing to eventual champion Maria Sanchez, also from USC.

For complete results from the 2010 USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, visit the ITA website. Stories and photos are also available on Zoo Tennis.