URBANA, Ill. – The Fighting Illini men's tennis team will look to extend its seven-match winning streak this weekend with home matches against Michigan State and Michigan. The Orange and Blue take on the Spartans on Friday, April 15, at 4 p.m. before welcoming in the Wolverines on Sunday, April 17, at noon for Senior Day. Seniors Brian Page and Jared Hiltzik will be recognized for their collegiate careers following the match on Sunday.
Promotions
Friday - Boy Scout Day
Register your troop for reserved seating and recognition during the matches | REGISTER
Sunday - Senior Day & Kids Day
Clinic prior to the match wih men's tennis coaches | REGISTER
For Starters
The Illini enter the weekend with an overall record of 15-7, including a 6-1 mark against Big Ten opponents. UI extended its winning streak to seven with victories over Iowa and Nebraska a week ago. After losing its first conference match to Northwestern, the Illini have also won six straight Big Ten matches.
In doubles play, Illinois has taken the early one-point advantage in seven of the last eight matches. Individually, Julian Childers currently holds an unblemished 6-0 record in Big Ten singles matches, playing at the No. 4 position.
Scouting Michigan State
The Spartans currently hold a 10-4 overall record, including an 0-7 mark in conference play. After a 7-2 start to the season, Michigan State has won just three of their last 15 matches. Most recently, Michigan State lost to Wisconsin and Minnesota last weekend. The Spartans do not have anyone ranked in singles or doubles.
Scouting Michigan
The No. 21 Wolverines enter the weekend with a 17-4 overall record, including a 6-1 record in Big Ten play. Michigan's lone conference defeat came against Ohio State in March. The Wolverines have two nationally ranked singles players in No. 93 Jathan Malik and No. 112 Alex Knight. The duo of Knight and Runhao Hua also sit at No. 74 in the most recent doubles rankings.
Illini in The Rankings
Illinois is currently ranked at No. 17 in the most recent ITA national rankings. UI is one of two teams in the country with two singles players currently ranked in the top-15 nationally, highlighted by No. 4 Aleks Vukic and No. 12 Jared Hiltzik. Sophomore Aron Hiltzik is also ranked No. 70.
Illini Duo Garners B1G Honors
Fighting Illini men's tennis sophomore Aleks Vukic was named Big Ten Tennis Athlete of the Week on Tuesday, April 5, as announced by the league office. It marks the third weekly honor Vukic has received this season. Vukic's laurel marks the fourth conference honor for Illinois this season and the fourth of his career. Jared Hiltzik also garnered the conference's weekly award this season, doing so on March 1.
