March 6, 2002

Illinois' women's tennis team is looking to remain unbeaten in the Big Ten when it hits the road this weekend to challenge No. 32 Indiana and No. 59 Purdue. Currently the Illini have a 7-5 overall record and are 2-0 in Big Ten play. Indiana boasts a 10-2 overall record, but is 0-1 in conference matches, while Purdue stands at 1-0 in the Big Ten and 3-4 overall.

Sophomore Eva Choe, who has won three of her last four matches to improve her record to 15-8, and classmate Jennifer McGaffigan, who is ranked 43rd nationally and has a 19-10 singles record, lead the Orange and Blue into action this weekend. The Illini are coming off a tough road trip where they dropped consecutive 6-1 decisions to then-No. 13 North Carolina and then-No. 3 Duke.

"We have improved as a team each week and we're starting to play well as one unit," said Head Coach Sujay Lama. "The team is excited about playing two Big Ten matches this weekend. Purdue is a much-improved team this year and Indiana has always been one of the top teams in the league, year in and year out. Our focus is on being prepared. We will be ready for two tough matches on Saturday and Sunday."

The Hoosiers are coming off a weekend during which they defeated Illinois State, 5-2, before opening the Big Ten campaign with a 4-3 loss at No. 50 Iowa.

Purdue enters this weekend on a high note after sweeping last weekend's matches versus Western Michigan, 6-1, and No. 50 Iowa, 4-3, at Iowa City.

Both matches this weekend are scheduled for a 10 a.m. (CST) start.