Lyla Messler Named Big Ten Freshman of the Week
September 16, 2026 | Women's Tennis
News
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Fighting Illini freshman Lyla Messler was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
In her first collegiate event, Messler went a perfect 3-0 across her opening day, advancing to the quarterfinals of her flight at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic. The Largo, Fla., native owned the No. 4 seed and won straight-set decisions over opposition from North Carolina 6-2, 6-3 and Marquette 6-3, 6-2 in Friday's action.
In doubles play, Messler teamed up with Kimiko Cooper and the tandem took down the No. 2-seeded duo in their bracket in dominant 6-1 fashion to advance to the doubles quarterfinals.
Across the weekend, Messler went a combined 3-4 in singles and doubles play.
Messler is the first-ever Illini women's tennis player to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. The 2026-27 campaign marks the second year of the award's distribution.
