No. 9 Illinois (14-3, 4-0) hit the road on Friday and Sunday to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-6, 1-3), then they faced off against the Wisconsin Badgers (11-3, 2-2). Illinois’ first outing in Lincoln, Nebraska, swung its way as it secured the win, going 4-1. Illinois’ winning nature kept on rolling. During the Illini’s visit to Madison, Wisconsin, they repeated for another 4-1 win against the Badgers.
The Illini are currently on a 10-match win streak, the longest since the Illini’s 14-match win streak during the 2021 season.
Senior Kenta Miyoshi’s prowess under pressure on the court was a crucial factor that led the Illini to find victory, despite some key losses on the court. While seniority shone in the competition, the play from Illinois’ youngest faces proved that as the Big Ten season play rolls on, the team is as well-rounded as ever.
“All three freshmen played tough on the road in the Big Ten,” said coach Brad Dancer to Fighting Illini Athletics. “Kudos to our guys.”
Husking the competition
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In the Illini’s first away game of Big Ten in-season play, things began in the hands of the Cornhuskers.
Illinois’ doubles luck finally came to an end. After the Illini won nine-straight doubles points, they suffered defeat in Lincoln.
Redshirt sophomore Zach Viiala and freshman Sasha Colleu were the first Illini to fall. They suffered a narrow 6-4 loss to Nebraska freshman Jeri Lassila and senior Joan Torres Espinosa. The Cornhuskers sealed the point as redshirt junior Tyler Bowers and freshman Gabriel Debru fell to junior Henry Lamchinniah and senior Matt Shearer.
However, the Illini’s single strength proved to be the deciding factor, as they showed unrelenting effort to secure the comeback victory.
No. 23-ranked Miyoshi was the first Illini to taste victory. The senior won on Court 1, 6-2, 6-1, over Nebraska senior Leo Linquet. Miyoshi can put himself back in the win column after his unranked loss against NIU. Colleu was next, and the freshman continues to showcase a stunning first season. The freshman grabbed Court 5 in two sets, going 6-2 and 6-3 over Espinosa.
No. 70-ranked senior William Mroz continued the Illini comeback campaign as he secured his fourth consecutive singles court win. Mroz won on Court 3 in two sets, first in a close back-and-forth 7-5 first set win, then in a swifter 6-3 second set win over Lassila.
The final Cornhusker to be husked was freshman Niels Van Der Sijs. Freshman No. 111-ranked Adam Jilly secured the game-winning court victory against Van Der Sijis. Jilly secured his fourth-straight win on Court 4, pushing the Illini across the 4-point winners mark.
Illini send Badgers back to burrow
The Illini doubles success found its footing again, as the team secured the opening doubles point against the Badgers.
Bowers and Debru were the first victorious Illinois duo as they took down Wisconsin sophomore Ferdinand Kloesters and senior Michael Minasyan in a speedy 6-2 win on Court 1.
Viiala and freshman David Bakonyi sealed the doubles win after defeating Wisconsin sophomore Patrik Meszaros and junior Matthew Fullerton in a tighter 6-4 contest on Court 3.
“Our guys came out focused in doubles and were really, really sharp,” Dancer said.
After getting the doubles point, the advantage was in the hands of the Illini as singles play began.
Viiala started the Illini offensive with a stellar performance on Court 6 over the Badgers’ sophomore Sachiv Kumar. Viiala was able to secure a bagel, 6-0, in the first set, and then secured victory after winning in a close 6-4.
Miyoshi captured his second straight victory. The No. 23-ranked senior defeated No. 80-ranked Minasyan in two sets, going 6-4 and 6-2 on Court 1.
However, the tide shifted out of the Illini’s favor as the Badgers were able to grab Court 3. Wisconsin’s Kloesters defeated No. 70-ranked Mroz in two sets, first in a tiebreaking 7-6 (2), then 6-3 in the second.
“We got off to great starts across the board in singles, and then Wisconsin made a super push,” Dancer said. “Huge credit to them. Our guys dug in tough at the end.”
Despite the push from the Badgers, Jilly pushed the Illini ahead and towards victory for the second time in the weekend doubleheader. The freshman defeated Wisconsin sophomore Edouard Aubert in a tight three-set win, going 6-4, then 3-6 and finally 6-4 for the victory.
Looking ahead
The Illini travel back to Atkins Tennis Center to host the Michigan Wolverines (6-6, 2-2) and the Michigan State Spartans (7-7, 4-0) in a weekend doubleheader starting Friday.
