CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 34 ranked Illinois women’s tennis (11-5) is back home this weekend for the first time since mid-February. First up on the weekend docket is Michigan State (8-8) Friday at 4 p.m. CT. Then on Sunday at 11 a.m. No. 5 Michigan (13-3) will visit Atkins Tennis Center.
Friday’s action is expected to be indoors due to weather while Sunday’s match will likely be played outside.
The Orange and Blue’s matchup against the Spartans will also fall on National Crayon Day and in honor of the occasion, the Illini will be hosting a Color the Court event. Tennis-themed coloring pages will be handed out to fans.
UI’s matchup against Michigan will be the squad’s annual Pack Atkins event. The match will feature free tennis balls, popper toys, and a kid’s clinic following the match. Tennis-themed patches will also be available for scouts.
Michigan marks the seventh match against a ranked team this season, with the Illini sitting at 3-3 in those outings.
The Illini already have six individuals with double-digit wins in singles play this season, including Ashley Yeah (12-9), Kasia Treiber (12-10), Kida Ferrari (11-6), Kate Duong (11-8), Josie Frazier (11-8) and Megan Heuser (11-8).
On the doubles courts, Heuser and Kate Duong have won 10-consecutive matches. The duo is up to a 19-3 overall record on the season, which includes an 11-1 mark in dual play.
Last Time Out
Illinois visited West Lafayette and downed Purdue, 4-1, for its 10th-straight win against the Boilermakers.
Illini vs. The Field
Illinois leads the all-time series 37-13 against Michigan State, winning its most recent meeting, 4-1, on April 24, 2022.
Illinois trails all-time against Michigan 11-40, falling 4-1 in the most recent outing on April 22, 2022.
Illini Notes
Head coach Evan Clark is in his eighth year as the head coach of Illinois women’s tennis and holds an overall dual record of 108-72 (.600) and is 53-25 (.679) in Big Ten play during his time as an Illini.
The Illini are coming off a 16-9 season with an 8-3 Big Ten record in 2021-22.
Illinois returns seven of its eight players from last season, including seniors Emily Casati, Josie Frazier, and Ashley Yeah; junior Kate Duong; and sophomores Kida Ferrari, Megan Heuser, and Kasia Treiber. The Illini also welcomed new freshman Violeta Martinez to the squad.
Ranking…
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