URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois women's tennis team will open Big Ten play on the road at No. 23 Northwestern on Sunday, Feb. 19. The match is set for an 11 a.m. start.

"We are excited to get back on the court after last weekend against probably our biggest rival," said head coach Evan Clark. "The girls are excited, they are playing well and competing well. We have had a positive week of practice, and the girls feel really good heading into Northwestern this weekend."

The Fighting Illini are coming off a weekend in which they went 2-1, earning wins over Middle Tennessee and Eastern Illinois, and a narrow defeat to Notre Dame. Illinois has a 3-5 mark on the season.

Northwestern enters the match with a 4-4 record, after falling to Baylor at home, 2-5, on Friday.

"The girls play a lot of pride playing in the Big Ten," Clark said. "Especially starting off with Northwestern, who is probably our biggest rival. I think conference matches always mean a little bit more for both teams. I think we will get Northwestern's best effort, and they will get our best as well."

IN THE RANKINGS

In the latest ITA Rankings, Baillon is No. 97 in the nation in singles.

Maddie Lipp (No. 87), Brook Rischbieth (T-No. 103) and Lee Or (No. 110) are all ranked in singles for Northwestern. In doubles, Lipp pairs with Alex Chatt to form the 15th-ranked duo in the nation, and the tandem of Rheeya Doshi and Jillian Rooney are ranked No. 34.

UP NEXT

The Illini will head back out on the road next weekend, for matches at Arkansas on Friday, Feb. 24 and Oklahoma on Sunday, Feb. 26.