Eighth-Seeded Illini Open Big Ten Tournament Play Thursday
April 19, 2026 | Women's Tennis
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has unveiled the complete bracket for the 2026 Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament from April 23-26 at Ohio State's Ty Tucker Tennis Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The Illini earned the No. 8 seed after posting a 7-6 record in league play. The Orange and Blue will open postseason action on Thursday morning in a first round match against No. 9 seed Nebraska at 8 a.m. CT. The Huskers are currently ranked No. 42 in the ITA team standings and own a 15-8 overall record and 7-6 reading in league play. Illinois earned a 4-0 win in Lincoln at the beginning of March when the sides met during the regular season.
No. 58 Illinois is seeking its first Big Ten title when the team heads to Columbus. The Fighting Illini posted a 12-12 mark overall this season while owning a 7-6 record in league action. Illinois has finished with seven or more Big Ten victories in each of the last six seasons since COVID-19 ended the 2020 campaign. The Orange and Blue have won at least seven league matches in all 10 completed seasons under head coach Evan Clark.
Only the league's top 12 finishers make the Big Ten Tournament in the latest format. Every match of the Big Ten Tournament can be streamed on B1G+.
More information about the 2026 Big Ten Tournament can be found HERE.
2026 Big Ten Women's Tennis Tournament schedule
Thursday, April 23
Match 1 (#8 Illinois vs. #9 Nebraska) - 8 a.m. CT
Match 2 (#5 Washington vs. #12 Penn State) - 10:30 a.m. CT
Match 3 (#7 Maryland vs. #10 Northwestern) - 1 p.m. CT
Match 4 (#6 Wisconsin vs. #11 Iowa) - 3:30 p.m. CT
Friday, April 24 (Quarterfinals)
Match 5 (#1 Ohio State vs. Match 1 winner) - 8 a.m. CT
Match 6 (#4 UCLA vs. Match 2 winner) - 10:30 a.m. CT
Match 7 (#2 USC vs. Match 3 winner) - 1 p.m. CT
Match 8 (#3 Michigan vs. Match 4 winner) - 3:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 25 (Semifinals)
Match 9 (Match 5 vs. Match 6 winner) - 10 a.m. CT
Match 10 (Match 7 vs. Match 8 winner) - 1 p.m. CT
Sunday, April 26 (Championship)
Match 11 (Match 9 vs. Match 10 winner) – 11 a.m. CT
