KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The No. 14 Tennessee men’s tennis team defeated Illinois, 4-2, Saturday afternoon in the opening round of ITA Kickoff Weekend. The Vols dropped the doubles point, but the singles part of the match was filled with some intense competition.

No. 14 Tennessee (4-1) defeated Illinois (0-1), 4-2, on Saturday at Goodfriend Tennis Center in the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Alejandro Moreno earned a win for Tennessee with a, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, victory on court five.

Thursday's OVC slate includes the Tennessee State Tigers (9-12, 5-5 OVC) meeting the Western Illinois Leathernecks (8-12, 2-7 OVC) at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Advertisement Article continues below ...

Tennessee has a penchant for fouling 3-point shooters at a seemingly high rate, especially for a team that relies on senior guards. It committed a season-high three fouls on 3-point shooters at Illinois in December, with two by Mashack. Zeigler had one ...

Saturday's OVC slate includes the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (10-11, 5-5 OVC) against the Eastern Illinois Panthers (5-15, 1-8 OVC), at 4:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Advertisement Article continues below ...

BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Illinois aims to end its four-game losing streak with a victory against Tennessee State. The Tigers have gone 5-3 in home games. Tennessee State is 3-2 when it turns the ball ...

Illinois is ranked 18th in the new AP Top 25 poll, released Monday. The Illini (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten) also are 20th in the coaches' poll.

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BOTTOM LINE: Tennessee State hosts Eastern Illinois after Aaniya Webb scored 20 points in Tennessee State's 76-70 loss to the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars. The Tigers are 3-3 in home games.

Tennessee dropped the point in doubles to start the afternoon, but came back to win four points in singles. The Vols saw Jan Kobierski and Alan Jesudason step up when they were down early in doubles, but Tennessee lost two close matches to give Illinois the point.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brandon Weston scored 20 points as Tennessee State beat Eastern Illinois 84-65 on Saturday night. Weston shot 3 for 5 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line for the Tigers (7-12, 3-5 Ohio Valley Conference). Carlous Williams scored 15 and Antoine Lorick III added 11 points and eight rebounds.

BOTTOM LINE: Kooper Jacobi and Eastern Illinois visit Brandon Weston and Tennessee State in OVC play Saturday. The Tigers are 5-3 in home games. Tennessee State is fourth in college basketball with 39.8 rebounds led by Weston averaging 5.3.