University of Illinois
Iowa
@IlliniMTennis Rides Winning Streak into B1G Road Weekend
April 7, 2016 | Men's Tennis
URBANA, Ill. – The No. 15 Fighting Illini men's tennis team will ride its four–match Big Ten winning streak into weekend road matches with Iowa and Nebraska. The Orange and Blue take on Iowa on Friday, April 8, at 6 p.m. before traveling to Nebraska for a match scheduled on Sunday, April 10, at Noon.
For Starters
The Illini currently hold a 13-7 record on the season and 4-1 mark in the Big Ten, following sweeps of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ball State at home last weekend. The Illini have won their last five matches and last four Big Ten matches by the score of 4-0.
After a rocky start in doubles, the Illini have won six straight doubles matches. The sophomore duo of Aron Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic have won five of their last six doubles matches, recently seeing play at the No. 1 doubles position.
Scouting Iowa
The Hawkeyes enter the weekend with a 9-10 record, including a 1-4 mark in conference play. Iowa's lone conference win came at home against Minnesota on March 27. Illinois defeated Iowa twice last season, including once in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes do not have anyone ranked in singles or doubles.
Scouting Nebraska
The Cornhuskers currently hold an 11-7 overall record and 2-3 record in league play. Nebraska garnered wins over Minnesota and Iowa in March. Dusty Boyer leads the Cornhuskers in singles, as he recently entered the ITA National rankings at No. 122. Nebraska does not have a ranked doubles team. Sunday will mark just the fifth time these schools have faced off, with the Illini 4-0 in the series.
Illini In The Rankings
Illinois sits at No. 15 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. 11 Jared Hiltzik. Sophomore Aron Hiltzik is also ranked No. 57.
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.
