The Illinois Springfield men's tennis team earned an impressive win over Division I opponent Chicago State on Friday in fall action.

The Prairie Stars claimed the doubles point after winning two of three matchups. Lin En Tan and Antonio Ayerbe Streubel fell in a close 6-4 contest at No. 1 doubles, but Pablo Herrera and Kai Van-Roon answered with a 6-4 win at No. 2. UIS also secured the No. 3 doubles match by default, as Chicago State did not field a team.

In singles play, Herrera earned a victory at the top spot, taking the opening set 7-5 before his opponent retired early in the second set with Herrera leading 2-0. Van-Roon followed with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles. Tan battled in a tight No. 3 match before falling 6-4, 7-6 (5), while Ayerbe Streubel dropped the No. 2 contest 6-1, 6-1. The final two singles matches were uncontested, giving UIS the automatic wins and clinching the overall match.

"I am really proud of how we competed and supported each other today," said first-year head coach Henrique Leal. "The energy in doubles was amazing, and we were able to start singles with the momentum on our side. Our men showed a lot of character today—coming from a winless season to winning the first match of the year against a Division I team. We have been working really hard for the last two months, and that hard work definitely helped us get the win today."

Up Next
The Prairie Stars will return to competition on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. against Purdue Northwest.