ITA National & Regional Rankings
Champaign, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team will begin the 2016 season as the No. 6 team in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, released Tuesday Jan. 5. In addition, three Illini earned individual rankings led by two-time All-American Jared Hiltzik who enters 2016 at No. 21. Sophomore Aron Hiltzik appeared at No. 41, while redshirt junior Julian Childers appeared at No. 67.
The Illini start the 2016 dual season in the same position as their 2015 final ranking. The 2015 squad produced one of the most successful seasons in program history. Illinois posted a 27-5 record, the most wins since the 2003 season, and secured the Big Ten Championships and Big Ten Tournament Championship. The Orange and Blue rose as high as No. 2 in the ITA national rankings, the highest they've achieved since 2006, went 15-1 at home and capped the year by reaching the Sweet 16 for the eighth time in Coach Dancer's 10 years at the helm.
Illinois' quest for another Big Ten title and NCAA Tournament run begins at the Three Oaks Shootout, Friday Jan. 15, in Fort Myers, Fla.
