Over the last four years, Illinois senior Chris Martin has been able to take his tennis game to a higher level in the postseason. On Sunday afternoon, the majority of his teammates followed suit by defeating Ohio State during the finals of the Big Ten Tournament.

“It is really emotional as it is every year in the Big Ten Tournament,” Martin said. “We’ve had a long year; we’ve had some ups and downs and to cap it off like this is really special, especially at home against Ohio State.”

Illinois won the match 4-2, but the results were not as clear-cut as they would appear. The Illini dropped the doubles point to start singles with a one-point deficit.

“Ohio State got a little excited after they won the doubles point – maybe too excited – because we knew there were still six points out on the court, and I trust the way our guys fight,” said Illinois head coach Craig Tiley.

Tiley had every reason to trust that his team could prevail despite the wind gusts and cool temperatures. The Illini have fought back after dropping the doubles point before.

Sophomore GD Jones stepped up to answer Tiley’s challenge first, pulling out a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Chris Klingemann to even the score. Then Martin responded, winning 6-4, 6-3 over Drew Eberly to give the Illini a one-point advantage.

Still, the Illini could not pull away.

Ohio State’s Joey Atas defeated freshman Monte Tucker 6-2, 6-3 to tie the teams at two points apiece.

But the Illini would not surrender, and the momentum had already shifted to Illinois freshman Ruben Gonzales’ court. Gonzales, who had lost his first set to Ohio State’s Ross Wilson, won his second set 6-1. Wilson, who is one of the most emotional tennis players in the Big Ten, had been neutralized by Gonzales.

“I knew that if I stayed with him, that he was going to break down, so I just kept grinding away, grinding away,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales won the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.

With the win, Illinois pulled ahead 3-2. The next Illini to score a point would clinch the match for the team, and both juniors Ryler DeHeart and Pramod Dabir were in the position to secure the team a victory.

DeHeart closed out his match first, beating Devin Mullinga 6-4, 7-5 to give the Illini the win and their fourth consecutive Big Ten Tournament title.

“I thought the match was ending, and I knew that it was getting down to the wire, but I didn’t know if I was going to clinch it or not,” DeHeart said.

Although it was the second straight time DeHeart has clinched the match for the team, DeHeart said this year’s match was unique. The Illini hosted the event at the Atkins Tennis Center.

“There were so many people around my court that I had to try not to think about it,” DeHeart said. “It was hard to just focus on the point and the ball. It is great for the fans to come out and for us to win here, at home. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”

It was also the first time several Illini, including the six freshmen and Illinois associate head coach Brad Dancer had experienced being part of the championship team.

“I feel lucky to have been on DeHeart’s court when he won,” Dancer said. “We did a great job battling back today.”

DeHeart is feeling pretty lucky as well.

Last season, when he clinched the title in East Lansing, Mich., he was promptly doused in an icy bath by his teammates, who seized a courtside water cooler. This year, it was Dancer’s turn to get soaked – twice.

“I’m just glad it wasn’t me,” DeHeart said. “I don’t want hypothermia out here.”