Allare's return helps Buckeyes into NCAA quarterfinals

Hope Moore/The Lantern Freshman Balazs Novak prepares to return a serve Saturday at the match against Cleveland State University at the Stickney Tennis Center.

Matt Allare returned from an injury to help the Ohio State men's tennis team move into the round of 16 of the NCAA tournament.

The freshman played in doubles competition in the Big Ten tournament, but did not play in the singles until this weekend. It was his first singles play since March 23. Allare, who defeated Robert Fox of Cleveland State University, 6-0, 6-3, had the clinching point in that match.

"It's nice to get into the singles group," Allare said. "I definitely had a shaky match this morning and I wasn't feeling too great, but then I got off to a great start in singles and it's great to be back in the singles lineup."

Some players are happy to see Allare, who was out with a broken foot, back in the line-up for the NCAA tournament.

"He's one of the most impressive freshman we had here," senior captain Drew Eberly said. "He just started from where he left off and I couldn't be more happy for him to get a win. He will be a big part of our run."

Bucks win two over weekend In OSU's first match in two weeks, the Buckeyes came out in their first round against Cleveland State but struggled in the doubles matches. However, they were able to win the doubles point and the match, 4-0.

"I'm a little tough on them for the two weeks from the Big Ten tournament to the NCAA tournament," coach Ty Tucker said. "I need to do a better job keeping their confidence high."

But the Buckeyes did a better job against No. 41 East Tennessee State, defeating them 4-0 on Sunday. Eberly had the clinching point on Sunday with a 6-2, 7-5 over ETSU's Daniel Isaza.

"It was nice, I really wanted to get the win," Eberly said. "I was rushing there at the end because I knew other guys were going to finish. So, I was trying to hurry up as much as possible and it almost cost me."

Illinois is next for OSU With the two wins during the weekend, the Buckeyes find themselves in the round of 16 for the third year in a row. The Buckeyes will play against No. 15 Illinois Friday at 4 p.m. in Tulsa, Okla.

"Last year, we beat them twice in the regular season," Tucker said. "They beat us in the quarterfinals of the NCAA. This year we have beaten them twice. So, we're playing them in the round of 16 and hopefully there's not a trend. They're a tough team, very good and come Friday, it will be a fight."

The players do not want that to happen this year.

"I'm looking forward to it," junior Bryan Koniecko said. "Last year, we didn't do what we were supposed to do and came out a bit nervous. This year, we know what to expect and I'm confident that we will do well."

The Buckeyes are 34-1. The 34 wins are the most in program history.

"It's nice to get all those wins, but the one in Virginia still sticks out in our minds," Eberly said of the season's only loss. "It's been a great season so far and we have four more to go."

Will Toman can be reached at toman.7@osu.edu.