University of Illinois
Florida State
Illini Head South for ITA Kickoff Weekend in Florida
January 28, 2022 | Women's Tennis
Preview
| Illinois (4-1) at ITA Kickoff Weekend | |
|---|---|
| Match 6: at No. 18 Florida State (2-0) | Saturday, January 29 // 10 a.m. CT |
| Match 7: No. 19 Florida (2-0) or Florida International (0-0) | Sunday, January 20 // 10 a.m. CT or 1 p.m. CT |
| Location | Tallahassee, Fla. // Indoor Tennis Facility // Scott Speicher Memorial Tennis Center |
| Follow the Match | Saturday Live Stats | Live Video |
| Shop | Fighting Illini Store |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women's tennis team heads back on the road this weekend for the 2022 ITA Kickoff Weekend, hosted by No. 18 Florida State on Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30 in Tallahassee, Fla.
The Illini (4-1) will face the host Seminoles (2-0) on Saturday at 10 a.m. CT, before taking on either No. 19 Florida (2-0) or Florida International (0-0) on Sunday. The winners of each regional site then advance to the ITA Division I National Team Indoor Championships on Feb. 11-14 in Madison, Wis.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
10 AM | Illinois vs. Florida State
1 PM | Florida vs. Florida International
Sunday
10 AM | Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2
1 PM | Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2
Last Time Out
Illinois moved its win streak to four as it opened its 2022 home schedule with three-straight sweeps, starting with a 7-0 blanking of Harvard last Thursday, before a doubleheader sweep on Sunday with a 7-0 win over Eastern Illinois and a 4-0 victory against Chicago State.
The tandem of junior Emily Casati and freshman Kasia Treiber went 3-0 on court three in the homestand to lead the Illini in doubles, while sophomore Kate Duong and freshman Kida Ferrari each posted 3-0 records in singles.
Illini vs. the Field
The Illini trail in the all-time series with FSU, 3-6, but have won two-straight, including a 4-0 decision to open the 2018 season on Jan. 21, 2018 in Atkins Tennis Center in the two teams' last meeting.
The Illini have faced Florida just twice in program history, falling in both matches, including a 7-0 setback in the last meeting on March 15, 2001 in Gainesville, Fla.
Illinois and FIU have also played just once previously, with the Panthers taking a 6-3 win in Tallahassee during the 1992 season.
Ranked Players
Singles
No. 22: Petra Hule, FSU
No. 34: Marlee Zein, UF
No. 87: Emma Shelton, UF
Doubles
No. 24: Carly Briggs/Marlee Zein, UF
No. 42: Carly Briggs/Alicia Dudeney, UF
No. 46: Alicia Dudeney/Bente Spee, UF
No. 51: Sydney Berlin/Alicia Dudeney, UF
Illini Notes
- Illinois last participated in the ITA Kickoff Weekend during the 2019 season, falling to No. 16 Kansas and No. 21 Virginia in the event. Illinois also served as host for the 2020 National Team Indoor Championships.
- Illinois is led in doubles by Casati and Treiber with a 4-1 record at No. 3 doubles, while the junior duo of Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah are 3-0 on the season.
- Individually, Duong has been impressive at No. 1 singles and boasts a 4-1 mark in 2022, while Ferrari also holds a 4-1 record on the season, posting a 2-0 mark at No. 4 singles and a 2-1 record at No. 6 singles.
- All eight players have registered at least one singles win in 2022.
- Head coach Evan Clark is in his sixth year as the head of Illinois women's tennis and owns an overall record of 85-59 (.590) and is 42-22 (.673) in the Big Ten Conference.
- The Illini are coming off a 9-9 Big Ten Conference-only season in 2021.
- The Illini return five players from last season, including senior Shivani Ingle, juniors Casati, Frazier and Yeah and sophomore Duong.
- Illinois welcomes in three freshmen in 2022 with the addition of Megan Heuser, Ferrari and Treiber.
- The freshman trio made their Illinois dual match debuts against No. 11 Baylor, with Heuser and Treiber playing both doubles and singles, while Ferrari earned her first career win with a 7-5, 7-6 (1) win over Ana Zamburek at No. 6 singles. Treiber and Heuser then earned their first singles win in Monday's victory over BYU, with Treiber sealing the win with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Emilee Astle at No. 5 singles.
Next Up
Illinois returns to Atkins Tennis Center to host Illinois State on Sunday, February 6 at 12 p.m. CT.
For more Fighting Illini women's tennis news, stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and follow @IlliniWTennis on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook.
