Chambana Sun

The Fighting Illini men's tennis team is preparing to start its spring season at the Thunderbird Invite, which will take place in Arizona from January 7 to January 12. The event is hosted by Arizona State.

Illinois athletes will participate in singles and doubles matches over several days while also engaging in team-building activities throughout the week.

The team, known as the Orange and Blue, is currently receiving votes in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association Coaches Poll. The lineup includes two singles players and one doubles pair ranked individually. Junior Kenta Miyoshi stands at No. 14 after achieving ITA All-America status during the fall season. Redshirt junior William Mroz follows closely at No. 30, while redshirt sophomore Tyler Bowers and redshirt freshman Zach Viiala are ranked No. 52 in doubles.

During the fall season, the Illini secured a total of 50 singles victories, with Miyoshi leading with a team-high of 12 wins. The Japan native achieved nine wins against ranked opponents and reached the third round in his debut appearance at the NCAA Singles Championship. Mroz ended his fall campaign with an 8-3 record in singles, while Bowers achieved an impressive 8-1 record. Viiala claimed seven singles victories during his first collegiate matches after joining the team earlier this year. Gabrielius Guzauskas and Jeremy Zhang each contributed six singles wins.

In doubles competition, Bowers and Viiala earned two victories against ranked opponents during the fall, with Bowers recording a team-leading seven doubles wins overall.

This event marks head coach Brad Dancer's 20th dual season leading the program.