In a clash of former NCAA Champions, the Illinois men’s tennis team emerged victorious Thursday afternoon at the Atkins Tennis Center.

No. 7 Illinois, the 2003 NCAA Champions, handed the No. 46 University of Southern California, the 2002 NCAA Champions, a 6-1 loss to stop a two-match losing streak.

This also marks the Illini’s first win during the outdoor season. Illinois lost at Texas and Texas A&M; outdoors.

“We really felt that with the disappointment of the Texas trip that our season started today,” said Illinois junior GD Jones.

Jones came out strong in singles, beating Dejan Cvetkovic 6-0, 6-4 to score the team’s second point of the night. Illinois head coach Brad Dancer said he was impressed with the junior’s fluidity in his first match back since before the Texas trip.

Illinois earned the first point of the night when they clinched the doubles point, thanks in large part to sophomores Kevin Anderson and Ryan Rowe. It was the first time the tandem played together in several matches. Still they proved why they were one of the best doubles teams in the nation, defeating USC’s Jamil Al-Agba and Dejan Cvetkovic 8-1.

“In doubles, they are getting better in their concentration,” said Illinois head coach Brad Dancer. “Four or five months ago, they wouldn’t have been able to win 8-1.”

The sophomores said that they were excited about playing together and were glad they played well.

“We hadn’t loss the chemistry,” Rowe said.

Anderson agreed.

“From the very first point we played well,” Anderson said.

Both sophomores pulled in singles wins, too. Anderson beat Kaes Van’t Hof 6-4, 6-4. Rowe defeated Chong Wang 6-3, 6-4.

Throughout the match, both teams had to deal with tough outdoor conditions, including dropping temperatures and chilly, strong-blowing wind. Although the Trojans are not used to the cold, they are used to the wind.

“The wind was tough – when you’re playing against it, you have to use it to your advantage,” Rowe said.

Sophomore Ruben Gonzales suffered the team’s lone loss, losing to Adam Loucks. Loucks won 4-6, 7-5, 10-3.

Despite the sophomore’s loss, Jones said the victory would bode well for their future.

“We wanted to get on a roll and carry it through to the end of the year,” Jones said. “Today was the start of our season.”

The Illini will continue their season Wednesday at No.5 Florida.

Florida is led by a quartet of Top-125 athletes, including Greg Oullette (39), Vladimir Obradovic (57), Nestor Briceno (68) and Stefan Tell (125).

The Gators may still be without freshman No. 72 Ryan Sweeting. Sweeting, the 2005 U.S. Open Junior Champion, was suspended indefinitely from the team when the 18-year old was charged with a DUI, possession of alcohol by a minor and a third-degree felony for possession of Adderall without a prescription. He had a blood-alcohol level of between .122 and .133 when he was stopped while driving by the University of Florida police.

Dancer said he does not know how Sweeting’s absence will affect their ability to compete well against the Illini.

“Right now, we saw what a loss of a player does for us, but some teams respond really well to that,” Dancer said.

Although the trip to Florida will give the Illini the opportunity to compete, practice and focus solely on tennis for one week other Illini are excited to head south for other reasons.

For Illinois freshman Marc Spicijaric and senior Ryler DeHeart, the men will be heading home when they play the Gators.

“It will be fun to play in front of the UF crowd,” Spicijaric said. “They have a very good fan base.”

The two Illini will bring some fans of their own.

It will be the first time DeHeart’s mother and grandparents will see him play this season. His mother is planning on attending the NCAA Championships in May. Spicijaric’s father and several friends are planning to attend the match, too.

Dancer said the fan support should help but that the team is well prepared for the upcoming match.

“The Gators are good,” Dancer said. “But, we’ll be ready.”