CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – After UCF claimed the doubles point, Illinois' strong showing in singles play clinched the 4-3 upset over No. 23 UCF on Sunday to wrap up ITA Kickoff Weekend play. The victory marked Illinois' first win over a top-25 ranked opponent since an upset at No. 21 Wisconsin on April 14, 2023.
Illinois is now 4-2 on the season, while UCF moves to 1-2 on the campaign. The Illini improved to 1-2 against top-25 ranked opponents as well.
"What a gutsy effort by our squad today and what a great win for our program," said head coach Evan Clark. "I'm so happy with how we were able to bounce back after doubles, start singles the right way, and stay organized and composed especially in the big moments.
"We love the team that we have and love where we are at with six matches under our belt. There is no doubt in my mind we will continue to get better, especially with the experience we've gained early in the year."
UCF took the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 2 after the Illini won, 6-2, at No. 3.
McKenna Schaefbauer evened the match at 1-1 with a straight-set victory at No. 5 singles. She won 6-4, 6-1, to improve to 4-1 on the season.
UCF battled right back to take a 3-1 lead with wins at No. 4 and No. 2, respectively.
From there, Kida Ferrari won a 6-2, 7-5 battle at No. 6 to move Illinois to 3-2. Ferrari is up to a 3-1 singles record on the season. Megan Heuser followed with a second-set tiebreaker victory on the top court to even the match at 3-3. Heuser is up to 4-1 on the season following the 6-3, 7-6 (3) win.
With all eyes on court three, Kasia Treiber won the decisive three-set match to clinch the Illinois upset. She won 6-2 in the opening frame before falling by the same margin in the second set. In set three, Treiber claimed the 6-3 decision.
Illinois is back in action Feb. 11 from the Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini host Ole Miss for a 11 a.m. CT tilt.
FULL RESULTS: ILLINOIS 4, NO. 23 UCF 3
Doubles:
No. 1 – Saidenova/Kattenberg (UCF) def. Josie Frazier/McKenna Schaefbauer – 6-4
No. 2 – Lincer/Tilbeurger (UCF) def. Kida Ferrari/Violeta Martinez – 6-2
No. 3 – Alice Xu/Megan Heuser def. Biolay/Leslie (UCF) – 6-2
Singles:
No. 1 – Megan Heuser def. Lincer (UCF) – 6-3, 7-6 (3)
No. 2 – Biolay (UCF) def. Violeta Martinez – 6-2, 6-2
No. 3 – Kasia Treiber def. Tilbuerger (UCF) – 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
No. 4 – Saidenova (UCF) def. Josie Frazier – 6-1, 6-3
No. 5 – McKenna Schaefbauer def. Leslie (UCF) – 6-4, 6-1
No. 6 – Kida Ferrari def. Kattenberg (UCF) – 6-2, 7-5
Order of Finish:
Doubles: 3, 1, 2
Singles: 5, 4, 2, 6, 1, 3
