March 8, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois has never lost to No. 50 Louisville in five previous dual matches, but the 55th-ranked Orange and Blue's fourth weekday dual match brings the Red and Black to the Atkins Tennis Center on Friday night with the Cardinals' highest-ever ranking.

Regardless of past history, head coach Sujay Lama believes his team needs to be guarded when facing the Cardinals for the third time this season.

"We've seen Louisville twice this year at the Spartan Cup and Midwest Blast," Lama said. "They are feisty and play with a lot of emotion. We need to match their intensity and come out playing aggressive tennis."

The Cardinals are a young team with only two upperclassmen, senior Ariana Marshall and junior Natalie Laszkowski but that did not stop them for executing what the school called "the biggest upset in program history," a 6-1 onslaught of No. 34 South Alabama on March 3. Two days later Greg Davis' squad defeated Minnesota, the third of five Big Ten opponents on its schedule, by the same score.

Illinois counters youth with rising talent of its own. Last Sunday sophomore Macall Harkins and junior Emily Wang combined to upset the nation's No. 2 doubles team, Notre Dame's Catrina and Christian Thompson.

"One positive that I am pleased with recently is the play of our doubles teams. All three teams have been cohesive and playing well together," Lama said. "Each team has made a lot of progress which is a plus because it is so important to get off to a good start and win the doubles point."

Lama's team does not play until March 22 following Friday's match, so the mentor believes it is a particularly critical match.

"This is a very important match for us," Lama said. "We need to get back in the win column and gain confidence and momentum heading into the outdoor season."

Fans could be an important part in the outcome.

Friday night is "Illini Spirit Night" at Atkins and will feature an Illinois clothing competition. Winners have a chance to receive gift cards from Gameday Spirit or lessons from the coaches. In addition a free kids clinic for kids eighth grade and under is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.