Illinois men’s tennis came back from a weekend in Texas where it faced Abilene Christian, Baylor and No. 1 Texas Christian University. The team dismantled both Abilene Christian and Baylor but came up short against TCU, securing only two doubles wins out of the whole matchup. However, the team is now playing at home, and they’re hungry to keep their undefeated home record intact against Penn State. Nic Meister, graduate student, understands what an accomplishment it would be to stay undefeated at home this season.

“I think being unbeaten anywhere is good, we’d like to keep that going,” Meister said. “We have a couple tough matches still left at home, so it would be pretty good to end the season without losing any matches at home.”

Illinois hopes that this matchup against Penn State goes a lot like the last time these two teams faced. The Illini dominated the Nittany Lions in their previous outing last season, winning 4-0. The all-time matchups record also leans in Illinois’ favor, as the team has surmounted 30 wins all time compared to Penn State’s four victories. In their last 10 matchups, the Illini are 9-1, leaving the team to hope that history repeats itself again.

Penn State will look to be a bounce-back game for Illinois after suffering a tough loss to TCU. Meister knows this team can compete and that on another day, the TCU match could have gone a lot differently.

“The TCU match was really one that we’re all pretty frustrated with,” Meister said. “We left a lot on the table. It was a match that was definitely in front of us and for the taking. I think we’re all just pretty frustrated and motivated to capitalize on the opportunities we have ahead of us.”

This weekend at home is definitely gearing up to be a redemption game after their tough loss to the Horned Frogs; however, the Illini are amped and ready to come back and defend their home ground. Illinois plays next against Penn State on Friday, followed by No. 4 Ohio State on Sunday.

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