CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois and head coach Evan Clark have announced the addition of three five-star recruits, Kida Ferrari, Megan Heuser and Kathryn "Kasia" Treiber, to the Fighting Illini women's tennis program. The trio will join the Orange and Blue for the 2021-2022 campaign.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kasia, Kida and Megan to the Illinois Women's Tennis family," said Clark. "First of all, we are getting three high-quality character individuals that will have an immediate positive impact on and off the court for our program.  Second, we are adding three very talented and hardworking students and tennis players that will only enhance the strength of our program for many years to come."

Ferrari is a native of Fairhope, Ala., and ranked No. 1, according to tennisrecruiting.net, in the state of Alabama. Heuser and Treiber are both in-state recruits, as Heuser is a native of Lindenhurst, Ill., and Treiber is from Hinsdale, Ill. Heuser and Treiber are ranked No. 3 and No. 2, respectively, in the state of Illinois.

"If you track their tennis over the past couple years you will see that they have consistently climbed the rankings and have shown tremendous growth in a short period of time," said Clark. "This is something we look for and that excites us, as we know their best tennis is ahead of them at the University of Illinois. You know when the recruiting process with the recruit and their families is easy and enjoyable that it will make for a bright future."

The three student-athletes will help the Fighting Illini bolster a roster for the 2020-2021 season that will return five of 10 players.

"The 2021 class was such an important class for us," said Clark. "We were trying to replace a class that was the foundation of our program and we feel very confident that we did that with these three. We identified Kasia, Kida and Megan early on as great fits for our program so we feel very fortunate to see this class fall into place exactly the way we wanted."

Kida Ferrari

Fairhope, Ala.

Laurel Springs School

» 5-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net

» Ranked No. 52, nationally for Class of 2021

» Ranked No. 1 in Alabama

» 2019 USTA Junior Player of the Year for Alabama

» Reached Quarterfinals of National Hardcourt Championships ('19)

» Went undefeated in singles play at the No. 1 spot at Zonals, hosted by Wake Forest ('19)

» 2x Tennis Recruiting Network Hot 100 Feature Player of the Month (August '19; October '18)

» 2019 Dunlop Player of the Month (April)

» Daughter of Pete and Kimberly Ferrari

Why Illinois?

"I chose Illinois because from the moment we drove onto campus for the first time, lightning struck me. I liked the energy and lively campus life, even while visiting in the middle of February. The team immediately included me and brought me into the tennis environment which made me feel comfortable and right at home. The coaches personally strived to make a more emotional connection with me, just not tennis centric, which was a huge driver causing me to choose Illinois."

Coach Clark on Ferrari: "Kida caught my attention early on and continued to impress us over time and we were so fortunate it was such a great fit for both sides.  Kida is a gifted mover and athlete and a really intelligent tennis player. Kida has shown us that she is going to find a way to win and she is going to consistently be a tough out. The exciting part is that Kida has just scratched the surface in terms of her potential. There is only one direction for her game and we are excited that Kida's best tennis is ahead of her here at the University of Illinois."

Megan Heuser

Lindenhurst, Ill.

High School

» 5-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net

» Ranked No. 3 in Illinois for Class of 2021

» Ranked as high as No. 32 nationally

» Ranked as high as No. 5 nationally in the U.S. in doubles

» 2019 Illinois State Champion

» 4x Sectional Champion (2017-20)

» 4x Conference Champion (2017-20)

» Holds an overall record of 122-3 through 2017-20

» Took second (Silver Ball) in doubles play at Winter Nationals Level 1 ('20)

» Placed second (Silver Ball) at National Level 1 Doubles ('19)

» Intends to major in Health Sciences

» Daughter of Kevin Heuser and Renee Garrett

Why Illinois?

"I chose Illinois because from the moment I got to campus, I felt like this place could really be my home away from home. I bonded extremely well with the coaching staff and all the players on both tennis teams. Alongside the incredible tennis program Illinois offers, they are also an excellent academic school that has contributed to my want to be an Illini!"

Coach Clark on Heuser: "We were so impressed with Megan since day one.  We saw a fantastic athlete in Megan with a lot of different tools that has the ability to be a great all court player. Megan has incredible potential and the best part is that her game is still very raw and has so much room for positive growth.  When everything comes together for her it will be very special. We know Megan's best growth will come in her four years as an Illini and we could not be more excited to see her do it in the orange and blue."

Kathryn "Kasia" Treiber

Hinsdale, Ill.

Hinsdale Central High School

» 5-star recruit by tennisrecruiting.net

» Ranked No. 30, nationally for Class of 2021

» Ranked No. 2 in Illinois

» Ranked No. 11 in USTA Girls' 18 combined rankings

» 2020 Chicago District Champion

» Place fourth in singles play at 2019 Girls' 18 Zimmerman Johnson National Tournament

» 2019 National Level 2 Singles Champion

» 2019 National Girls' 18 Indoor Doubles Finalist

» Finished fourth in doubles at the 2018 National Girls' 16 Indoor Championships

» 2017 National Girls' 14 Indoor Doubles Finalist

» Daughter of John and Beata Treiber

Why Illinois?

"I chose Illinois because I knew that Illinois was a place where I could see myself really succeed, shortly after my visit. The coaches and the team made me feel like I was already an Illini and that made Illinois so much different from all the other schools I visited. In addition, the coaches really emphasized the fact that they wanted to grow and develop my tennis game in college."

Coach Clark on Treiber: "We got a great one in Kasia.  She caught my eye immediately and I knew that she was an individual that I wanted in our program.  Kasia's athleticism, competitive spirit and work ethic is something special.  If you look at where Kasia has come over the past couple of years she has shown tremendous growth and development in a very short period of time.  Kasia's just getting started and she will only continue to get better and better. We can't wait to see what she does in an Illini uniform."

Coach Clark on the trio: "We feel honored that they chose the University of Illinois, our coaching staff and our program to help guide them through the next stages of their academic and tennis careers.  We are also grateful in their belief of our program and their trust in us to help develop them over their next four years.   They all three understand how special of a place the University of Illinois is and the pride that they have already showed for our great University is a sign of really special things to come when they eventually put on the orange and blue jersey.  Welcome to Illinois, Kasia, Kida and Megan."

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