Chambana Sun

Illinois' men’s tennis team will conclude its regular season with away matches against new Big Ten rivals, Oregon and Washington, in the team's first West Coast conference road trip. The Fighting Illini will compete against the Ducks in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday, April 18, and the Huskies in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, April 20.

Illinois enters with a season record of 13-9, including six wins and five losses within the conference. They recently achieved a decisive 4-0 victory over Penn State in Urbana.

Illinois coach Brad Dancer, who has been with the program since 2005, recently received a contract extension through 2031. Speaking about Dancer's extension, Illinois' Director of Athletics Josh Whitman commented, "Brad Dancer is a trusted, veteran leader in our athletics department and one of the most accomplished coaches throughout all of collegiate tennis, and we are thrilled to extend our partnership through the next six years as he continues to lead a championship-caliber men's tennis program."

In previous matches this season, Illinois secured a notable win against No. 12 Michigan, marking their first top-25 win of the season. The team successfully seized the doubles point and four singles matches to win 5-2. Illinois junior Kenta Miyoshi has also excelled this season, earning ITA All-America status during the NCAA Singles Championship.

The upcoming match against Oregon is the first in history for Illinois, while the game against Washington marks their first meeting as conference opponents. Washington boasts a recent four-match streak and is ranked No. 39, while Illinois stands at No. 31 in ITA rankings.

Illinois’ main competitors include singles players Lenn Luemkemann and Vlad Breazu from Oregon, and Cesar Bouchelaghem from Washington, all featured in current ITA rankings.

This weekend’s matches will play a crucial role in the team's preparation for future tournaments and could further bolster Illinois' record for the season.