[3] Illinois Beats [6] Iowa to Secure First Big Ten Tournament Semifinals Berth Since 2019

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – After dropping the doubles point, No. 3 Illinois took care of business in singles play to beat No. 6 Iowa, 4-2, in the Big Ten Women’s Tennis Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night. The Illini victory secured the program’s first berth in the semifinals of the conference tournament since the 2018-19 campaign.

Ashley Yeah clinched the victory with a three-set comeback, while Megan Heuser, Kida Ferrari, and Kasia Treiber also secured singles wins. The Illini avenged their loss to the Hawkeyes last week, and they improve to 18-8 on the season. 

The program’s 18 wins thus far are the second-most under head coach Evan Clark, the most since 2017-18, and the seventh-most in a season in program history.

Iowa secured the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 to put the Hawkeyes in front heading into singles play. 

The Illini set the tone early, winning the first set in five of the six singles matches. Heuser tied the match at 1-1 with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 decision at No. 2 to remain unbeaten in her No. 2 singles matches.

Ferrari put Illinois ahead with a two-set victory at No. 6, 6-4, 6-2, to give her the first postseason singles win of her collegiate career.

Keeping the momentum in the Illini’s court,  Treiber completed a 6-0, 7-5 victory at No. 4 to put Illinois within a point of clinching a berth in the semifinals.

After the Hawkeyes bounced back with a two-set decision at No. 5, No. 91 Yeah finished things off. Falling in her first set, Yeah completed the comeback by winning the second and third sets en route to a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 decision.

At No. 3, Frazier was one point away from winning her match, though it went unfinished.

The Illini will advance to the semifinals and take on No. 2 Ohio State, marking the first meeting between the two sides this season and the first dual meet between the programs since April 21, 2019. The match is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CT from Schwartz Tennis Center on the campus of Purdue University.

Results

Doubles competition

1. Samantha Mannix Marisa Schmidt (IOWA) def. Emily Casati/Megan Heuser (ILL), 7-5

2. Vipasha Mehra/Anya Lamoreaux (IOWA) def. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL), 6-2

3. Violeta Martinez/Kida Ferrari (ILL) vs. Pia Kranholdt/Barbora Pokorna (IOWA), 5-6 unfinished

Singles competition

1. No. 91 Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Samantha…