CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois women's tennis team is set to start a three-match homestand at Atkins Tennis Center, kicking things off with a 12 p.m. CT match against Illinois State on Sunday, February 6.
Atkins Tennis Center COVID-19 Protocols
With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases on the University of Illinois campus and throughout the Central Illinois region, the University will institute a proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative-test protocol for all university sponsored events open to the public with more than 200 people in attendance beginning January 1, 2022. All guests ages 12 and older entering Atkins Tennis Center will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid test taken within 72 hours of the event to enter the facility.
The state of Illinois and University of Illinois remains under a mask mandate. Face coverings must be worn by all fans over the age of 5 years.
Last Time Out
Illinois dropped back-to-back contests in the 2022 ITA Kickoff Weekend, hosted by then-No. 18 Florida State last weekend.
The Illini opened against the host Seminoles, with their comeback falling just short on Saturday in a 4-3 decision at the FSU Indoor Tennis Facility. After dropping the doubles point, the Illini quickly tied things up with a default win at No. 6 singles due to FSU only competing with five players. FSU then took the next two points to go ahead at 3-1, but the Illini fought back as junior Josie Frazier earned a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against Anna Arkadianou on court three, followed by classmate Ashley Yeah storming back to take her match over Lesedi Jacobss at No. 2 singles, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-0 to tie things up at 3-3. All eyes then turned to court five as freshman Kasia Treiber forced a third set, before falling 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to Kianah Motosono.
UI then wrapped play at the ITA Kickoff Weekend with a 4-2 setback to FIU on Sunday. The Illini took the doubles point after Yeah and Frazier and sophomore Kate Duong and freshman Megan Heuser earned back-to-back 7-5 wins at No. 2 and No. 1 doubles, respectively. FIU tied things up with a win on court one, before senior Shivani Ingle earned her second singles win of the season with a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Basak Akbas on court six to put Illinois ahead at 2-1. The Panthers then registered wins at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 singles to take the match with Heuser battling in the third set when the match was called.
Illini vs. the Field
The Illini lead the all-time series with ISU, 31-8, and have won 31-straight against the Redbirds, including a 7-0 victory in the two teams' last meeting on January 25, 2015 in Atkins Tennis Center.
Illini Notes
- Illinois owns a 3-0 record at home in Atkins Tennis Center in 2022.
- Illinois is led in doubles by the junior duo of Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah with a 4-1 record at No. 2 doubles, with junior Emily Casati and freshman Kasia Treiber registering a 4-2 mark at No. 3 doubles and sophomore Kate Duong and freshman Megan Heuser owning a 3-2 mark at No. 1 doubles.
- Individually, Duong, freshman Kida Ferrari and Yeah each own four wins on the season, with senior Shivani Ingle posting a 2-0 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 85-61 (.582) 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 Ingle, juniors Casati, Frazier and Yeah and sophomore Duong.
- Illinois welcomes in three freshmen in 2022 with the addition of Heuser, Ferrari and Treiber.
Next Up
Illinois continues its three-match homestand with a Braggin' Rights match against Missouri on Sunday, February 13 at 12 p.m. CT in Atkins Tennis Center.
For more Fighting Illini women's tennis news, stay tuned to FightingIllini.com and follow @IlliniWTennis on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook.
