URBANA, Ill. – Illinois Women's Tennis will head to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and open the 2017 spring season with weekend matches against Alabama on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. CT and Washington on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. CT. It will be the first trip to Tuscaloosa for the Illini since 2014.

"We're just excited to get going and play our first match of the year," said head coach Evan Clark. "The girls have put a lot of hard work in. They are anxious than anything to get on the court. They are tired of playing each other, and they are excited to play some really tough competition in Alabama and Washington. We played really well on the road last year, and I expect us to play well on the road this year. Bottom line is we are excited to get going against two quality teams, and we are excited to see what this time can do at the start."

HISTORY VS. THE CRIMSON TIDE AND HUSKIES

Illinois has played Alabama six times in program history, and Washington seven times. The Fighting Illini are searching for their first win against either team. The Orange and Blue last clashed with the Crimson Tide in 2014, falling to Alabama on the road, 0-4. The last meeting between Illinois and Washington was in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Huskies edged out the Illini, 3-4.

IN THE RANKINGS

Senior Louise Kwong and sophomore Ines Vias currently rank No. 32 in the nation among doubles tandems.

Alabama has two players ranked in singles, with Erin Routliffe checking in at No. 86 and Danielle Spielmann ranked No. 109. In doubles, Routliffe and partner Andie Daniell are ranked No. 43.

For the Huskies, the No. 35 pair of Miki Kobayashi and Nour Abbes lead the way, with Tami Grende and Stacey Fung checking in at No. 37 in doubles.