Illini go distance to beat Hokies

Wrestlers can't upset Hoosiers

URBANA – After one set Friday, the Illini trailed in five of six singles matches against No. 27 Virginia Tech at Atkins Tennis Center.

Four players rallied for three-set victories to lift No. 15 Illinois to a hard-fought 6-1 win against the Hokies.

"I'm really, really proud of our guys for the resiliency they showed today," Illini coach Brad Dancer said. "We know we're going to lose some sets, but to battle back like this was great. We needed a tough win like this."

No. 43 Dennis Nevolo, Abe Souza, Stephen Hoh and Connor Roth posted three-set wins for the Illini.

The Illini opened the match by rolling to the doubles point with a pair of 8-4 victories.

Marek Czerwinksi also posted a singles win for the Illini, who improved to 2-1 in dual matches.

In wrestling:

Indiana wins. John Dergo extended his winning streak to 12 matches, but the 20th-ranked Illini struggled at the start and finish of a 22-13 loss Friday at No. 14 Indiana.

Dergo, ranked second at 184 pounds, scored a major decision. No. 15 Ryan Prater (141), No. 20 Eric Terrazas (149) and No. 14 Jordan Blanton (174) scored decisions for the Illini.

"The bottom line was we needed to get a couple bonus points in there and didn't," Illinois coach Jim Heffernan said. "We just need to get more out of our guys. Nothing bothers me more than when you're losing and not trying to fight your way back into a match, and that happened a few times tonight."

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