URBANA, Ill. - Following three straight wins, including two over ranked opponents, the Fighting Illini women's tennis team will hit the road this weekend for its final regular season road trip. No. 58 Illinois will visit Wisconsin for an indoor match on Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m. and then head to Minnesota to take on the Gophers on Sunday, April 12, with the first serve slated for 11 a.m. The Illini have posted a 10-9 start to the season and are 2-5 in Big Ten play.

THE HISTORY

Friday night Illinois and Wisconsin will meet for the 43rd time. The Badgers lead the series at 23-18. Illinois won the most recent meeting last spring by a 5-2 decision.

Then, on Sunday, the Fighting Illini will visit Minneapolis for the 46th meeting between the Big Ten teams. The Fighting Illini lead the series 27-18. Illinois claimed the match last spring against the Gophers by a 4-3 decision.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

Wisconsin finished 7-13 last season and exited the Big Ten Conference Tournament with a 4-3 loss to Minnesota in the opening round. The Badgers are out to a 10-7 start on the 2015 campaign including a 4-3 record in conference play.

The Minnesota crew is off to a 15-6 start on the 2015 season. Last season, the Gophers finished 17-9 after falling to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference Tournament by a 4-0 decision in the second round. Minnesota is 5-2 in league play currently.

HEATING UP

Melissa Kopinski and Louise Kwong have each opened with 11-win campaigns this spring. Both players have won their last three matches. Kopinski and Kwong have also teamed as a tandem on court one for a 10-4 mark together.

In singles, Jerricka Boone and Alexis Casati have both won eight matches so far this season. Casati owns a 5-2 Big Ten mark and Boone a 4-2 reading. Madie Baillon is now 7-5 on the season, while Jade Hilton and Grace Tapak are 6-6 and 6-7, respectfully.

Baillon and Boone have worked in tandem on doubles court two for eight matches this season. The sophomore duo has won their last six matches en route to a 7-1 record.

TOUGH COMPETITION

In the ITA's April 7 Team Rankings, nine Big Ten teams can be found in the top-75. Michigan (14), Ohio State (18), Northwestern (23), Purdue (34), Michigan State (51), Indiana (52), Illinois (58), Minnesota (61) and Penn State (64) all made appearances in the April 7 rankings. Thirteen of Illinois' 2015 opponents are currently ranked.

UP NEXT

Following the road trip, the Fighting Illini will return for the final matches of the season at the Atkins Tennis Center. Nebraska comes to town on Saturday, April 18 for a noon match. The next day Illinois will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes at noon as well.