Illini's latest trip to Sweet 16 worth celebrating

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URBANA – After advancing to the NCAA tournament's Round of 16 on Saturday, the Illinois men's tennis team planned to uphold a longstanding tradition.

"Sand sprints," freshman Dennis Nevolo said.

Like, running?

"Yeah, then we go celebrate afterward. It's really not that bad after you win."

Those volleyball pits are usually busy this time of year.

No. 13 Illinois smacked Louisville 4-1 in the second round of an NCAA regional at Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex. The Illini clinched their eighth straight trip to the Sweet 16 – a feat matched only by Baylor and UCLA – and will face No. 4 Georgia on Thursday at College Station, Texas.

"We put ourselves in good position to do something special this year," senior Marc Spicijaric said. "To continue the tradition that's been set before us is pretty awesome."

Coach Brad Dancer admitted he was concerned about the Louisville match. Most years, final exams at the UI are completed before the regional round, so the players' focus is strictly on tennis.

But finals week this semester is next week, and Dancer said he would skip the post-match sand sprints because several players have a test at 8 this morning.

"We didn't have the type of preparation we usually have coming into this weekend," Dancer said.

Everything else is just about normal. Illinois (23-8) is rolling at the right time – three players said the team is playing its "best tennis" of the season – and did not dominated Western Michigan (4-0) and Louisville.

"Our training, our periodization is all about peaking in May," Dancer said.

"All the stuff you hate doing during the year – all the morning runs, all the morning practices, all the late-night practices – that was all for right now," Spicijaric said.

Don't worry, the Illini know how to celebrate the right way. Players drenched Dancer – and anyone within splashing distance – with an ice bucket after the match. The home crowd, a decided advantage for the Illini, sang along to Alabama's "If You're Gonna Play in Texas" as it blasted over the loudspeakers.

"I think we've got a great chance to do well (at College Station). It just depends on whether we can go out on all courts and perform," junior Marek Czerwinski said. "I doubt there's going to be any blowouts. We can make a great run."

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