University of Illinois
Kentucky
Illini Continue Stretch Against Ranked Opponents at Kentucky
March 21, 2016 | Men's Tennis
URBANA, Ill. - The No. 11 ranked Fighting Illini men's tennis team will face another road test Tuesday, March 22, as they take on No. 17 Kentucky at 1 p.m. inside Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. Illinois seeks it's eighth win of the season and second-straight win over a top-25 opponent.
FOR STARTERS
The Illini currently hold an 8-6 record on the season. Illinois has faced a daunting schedule so far this season, as the matchup with the Wildcats will be the Illini's ninth straight top-25 opponent. The Orange and Blue hold a 5-6 mark against top-25 teams this season.
No. 8 Jared Hiltzik and No. 6 Aleks Vukic have combined for a 20-4 record on the season. The two also have a combined 13-2 mark in the dual season against ranked singles players. Illinois is the only team in the country to sport two singles players ranked in the top-10 in the nation.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
The Wildcats enter the match following their first home loss of the season after losing 4-3 to Vanderbilt on Friday, March 18. Kentucky has an 11-4 mark this season and an 8-1 record at home. Individually, The Wildcats have two ranked singles players, led by No. 23 William Bushamuka. Ryotaro Matsamura currently ranks 108th in the nation. Kentucky also has one ranked doubles team in No. 49 Bushamuka and Beck Pennington.
Kentucky and Illinois have squared off in the regular season in each of the last three seasons, with Illinois winning each contest. Illinois swept the Wildcats 4-0 last season at home.
ILLINI IN THE RANKINGS
Illinois enters the weekend at No. 11 in the ITA national rankings. UI still remains the only team in the country with two singles players currently ranked in the top-10 nationally, highlighted by No. 6 Aleks Vukic and No. 8 Jared Hiltzik. Aron Hiltzik also cracked the list and sits at No. 63.
ILLINI GARNER B1G HONORS
Senior Jared Hitlzik was named Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, March 1, as announced by the league office. Hiltzik went 3-0 over the stretch, helping the Orange and Blue knock off No. 2 Virginia at home. The honor is the first for Hiltzik this season and sixth of his career. It marks the third time this season an Illini men's tennis player has received the award, as Aleks Vukic has garnered the laurel twice this season. Vukic received the award on Jan. 26 and Feb. 16.
HILTZIK ENTERS 100 WIN CLUB
Senior Jared Hiltzik surpassed the 100 singles win mark earlier this season. Hiltzik is one of 14 Illini to hit reach the 100-win club. He currently sits as the 10th-winningest singles player in program history with a 107 total wins.
NEXT UP
Following the match-up with the Wildcats, Illinois will travel Bloomington, Indiana to face its second conference match of the season. Illinois takes on Indiana Friday, March 25, at 2 p.m. CT.
