CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sophomore Hunter Heck was named the Big Ten Conference Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week after helping the Illini defeat in-state rival Northwestern 4-1 on Saturday , the conference announced on Tuesday (April 19).

This is the second career Athlete of the Week for Heck and second of the 2022 season. Heck extended his singles win streak to eight and moved to 14-4 on the season including 5-0 in Big Ten Play on Saturday.

Illinois extended their win streak to eight against the Wildcats with their win on Saturday. Heck won in both doubles and singles plays to. Help the Illini capture the 4-1 victory. Heck and Oliver Stuart clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory over Bratholm/B. Berdusco and Heck was the first Illini to win in singles play. He defeated #30 Forman 7-6(3), 6-4 to give the Illini a 2-1 lead over Northwestern.

Men's Tennis concludes Big Ten play and the regular season this weekend at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini face Indiana at 3 pm on Friday and Purdue at 12 pm on Sunday where they will also celebrate senior day.