The University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Tennis team will host Bradley University in its final home match of the season at Atkins Tennis Center in Urbana, with play set to begin at 4 p.m. Central Time on April 14. Admission for spectators is free.
This match marks the last opportunity for fans to see the Illini compete at home before they conclude their regular season with away matches against Rutgers and Maryland later in April. The Illinois team currently holds a 9-12 overall record and is ranked No. 57 nationally, with a Big Ten Conference record of 5-6. Nine of Illinois’ twelve losses this season have come against top-25 ranked opponents.
Bradley enters the contest holding a four-match win streak and an overall record of 9-10, including a Missouri Valley Conference mark of 4-2. Historically, Illinois leads the all-time series against Bradley by an 11-0 margin.
Senior McKenna Schaefbauer has had a standout year for Illinois, achieving her highest career singles ranking at No. 29 earlier this spring and being named Big Ten Women’s Tennis Player of the Week after an undefeated opening weekend that included her best-ranked victory yet. The Illini’s doubles pair Alice Xu and Tess Bucher also recently secured an upset over USC’s nationally ranked duo.
The Fighting Illini program participates in NCAA Division I competition according to the official website. The team competes within the Big Ten Conference as part of University of Illinois athletics according to the official website. It operates as a collegiate athletics program based in Champaign, Illinois according to the official website.
Looking ahead, head coach Evan Clark will lead his squad through two more regular-season matches before postseason play begins. Under Clark’s leadership, Illinois has made three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
