Illinois' national champions started their fall tennis season on a positive note in California at the Napa Valley Invitational.

Despite the intense competition on the West coast, sophomore Pramod Dabir compiled an immaculate 6-0 record, claiming three singles victories and two doubles wins.

"It was a good weekend," Dabir said. "I think we played pretty well, and I played progressively better as the weekend went on, which is good."

Dabir, a native of Saratoga, Calif., whose parents journeyed to the tournament because they cannot travel to attend events at Illinois' Atkins Tennis Center, joined classmate Ryler DeHeart for the doubles portion of the tournament.

The invitational marked the first time the sophomores appeared together in a competitive situation.

"Ryler and I played really well together," Dabir said. "Knowing each other so well, being friends and roommates, let us go out and fight really hard."

The rest of the Illini fought hard as well. Junior Chris Martin finished the tournament with a perfect doubles record and a 2-1 singles record for the weekend.

"I'm fairly encouraged by this weekend's results," Martin said. "I had a good chance to beat the No.1 California player, but came up a little short."

Martin joined junior Evan Zeder for the doubles competition, in preparation for their role in the main draw of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Icy Hot All-American tournament held in October.

"It's definitely encouraging," Martin said. "We beat a good team from the University of Georgia, and their tennis program is always one of the highest at the collegiate level."

The sophomores' ability to step up was encouraging for the Illini, who will be without the assistance of seniors Amer Delic and Brian Wilson during the fall season, as the men take on professional competition as amateurs. Illinois will also be without the services of Rajeev Ram, the Illini's top recruit last year, who has opted not to return to the University this year, but will retain his amateur status as he competes at the professional level throughout the academic year.

"Pramod and I have enjoyed having the opportunity to step up and be leaders this year," DeHeart said. "There's definitely something missing though. Brian and Amer took on a lot of the leadership roles last year, but Mike (Calkins) and Chris have done a good job filling that spot so far."

Illinois' freshmen class is only one-deep this year. Chris Sanchez, a native of Mexico, who spent the last four years playing in the United States, is the lone freshman looking to help the Illini repeat as national champions.

"Chris did well as a freshman," Martin said.

However, it was his elder teammate's support that helped him through the weekend.

"Chris had a lot of close matches," Dabir said. "He played well, and I just told him that once we started practicing, we'd all start getting better. Experience gives you confidence and that shows on the court."