Three Illini Earn All-Big Ten Honors

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 24-ranked Fighting Illini men’s tennis junior Hunter Heck and sophomore Karlis Ozolins have earned All-Big Ten First Team honors while junior Alex Petrov has earned a All-Big Ten Second Team nod. 

Hunter Heck – First Team 

Heck has split his time between the No. 2 (2-3) and No. 3 (5-2) singles spots this season. He has an overall record of 20-14 and a 4-2 record in Big Ten competition.

Karlis Ozolins – First Team

Ozolins has had a phenomenal first year of tennis, playing primarily in the No. 1 singles spot with 7-1 record. The Latvian native also played in the No, 2 singles spot, posting a 7-2 record. He has also posts a 15-3 record with a 6-1 in  conference play. Ozolins is also currently ranked No. 23 in the country in singles. 

Hiis notable wins include: Georgia’s  No. 4 Ethan Quinn, 6-4, 6-3 Kentucky No. 25 Alafia Ayeni, 6-4, 6-4, Michigan’s No. 11 Andrew Fenty 6-7 (4), 6-3, 7-5 and No. 41 Ozan Baris 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (2)

Heck and Ozolins have also had a successful season with a near-perfect 12-1 record together, also going 8-1 in the No 1 doubles spot and 5-1 in conference play. 

Alex Petrov – Second Team 

Petrov has been the reliable No. 3 player this season, collecting a 5-2 record in that spot. Overall, the junior is 14-9 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten play. He is also ranked No. 87 in the country in singles. 

The New York City, N.Y., native has one ranked win under his belt when he defeated Notre Dame’s No. 14 Sebastian Dominko Won 6-3, 2-6, 10-8.