With only five matches left in the Big Ten, Illinois women’s tennis will be searching for two more wins this weekend as it faces Purdue at home on Friday, followed by a road match against Penn State on Sunday. The Illini are active contenders in the race to win the Big Ten and are on a four-game unbeaten streak.

Currently sitting in fourth place with a 5-1 conference record, every match is an important one for Illinois if it hopes to keep the dream of becoming conference champions alive. Last time out Illinois earned two away wins against Iowa and Nebraska. Against the Cornhuskers specifically, Illinois was able to leave Lincoln with the win thanks to a clutch performance from junior Josie Frazier. Frazier has been a key contributor in points for Illinois, and the team has done well when she’s been at her best.

Last weekend proved to be a defining one for the team, as the Illini bounced back on the road. This season Illinois has struggled when away but managed to come out swinging last week to earn two consecutive road wins, a huge confidence booster for the team. This week will begin on Friday with a return home to Urbana.

Friday’s match against Purdue has been one that sophomore Kate Duong has been eyeing for some time now. In an interview conducted earlier in the season, Duong expressed her desire to finally beat Purdue’s Court 1 after losing to her on three separate occasions last season.

“I’m very eager to play her this year,” Duong said. “We’ve both grown so much, and I’m just looking forward to playing her again and getting my revenge.”

The Boilermakers currently sit in eighth place with a 2-3 Big Ten record. In 21 years of playing one another, it is Illinois who has come out better, with a 21-8 record against Purdue. The Illini are on an eight-game winning streak against the Boilermakers and will hope to keep that momentum going on Friday.

Following Friday’s fixture, Illinois will travel to University Park, Pennsylvania, for a Sunday showdown with Penn State. The Nittany Lions are tenth in the Big Ten, holding the same 2-3 conference record as the Boilermakers. Since the year 2000, Illinois has gone 18-3 against Penn State and are on a three game-win streak against them. However, the Illini cannot afford to hold back and must come out the way they did previously. Currently keeping pace at the top of the conference standings, Illinois will be competing with Ohio State, Northwestern and Michigan in the race to bring home the Big Ten title.

Illinois (12-6 overall, 5-1 B1G) will be hoping to earn two more wins this weekend against Purdue (10-7 overall, 2-3 B1G) and Penn State (8-9 overall, 2-3 B1G) as the end of the regular season begins to loom in the distance.

james_kim15

[email protected]