The University of Illinois Fighting Illini women’s tennis team defeated Rutgers 4-1 on Apr. 17, opening their final road trip of the regular season with a win in Piscataway, New Jersey. The match was the team’s longest of the season due to a rain delay and saw Illinois secure four singles victories after dropping the doubles point.
This result improves Illinois’ overall record to 11-12 and brings their Big Ten Conference tally to an even 6-6 for the season. Rutgers fell to an overall record of 8-14 and is now 1-11 in conference play. With this victory, Illinois maintains its unbeaten record against Rutgers, leading the all-time series at 11-0.
Lizzie Isyanov and Cara Mester began doubles play with a decisive win at No. 3, but Rutgers claimed wins in the remaining two doubles matches to take an early lead. A rain delay interrupted singles action near the end of first sets; following more than an hour’s pause, outdoor play resumed with Illinois capturing first sets on all six courts.
McKenna Schaefbauer earned a straight-set victory at No. 1 singles, evening the match score before Mester gave Illinois its first lead with her own straight-set win at No. 5 singles. Kimiko Cooper extended that advantage by winning at No. 2 singles, while Tess Bucher clinched the team victory with a three-set win at No. 4—her first clinch for Illinois.
According to the official website, University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Tennis participates in NCAA Division I competition as part of University of Illinois athletics and competes within the Big Ten Conference as a collegiate program based in Champaign, Illinois.
The team will conclude regular season play on Sunday when they face Maryland on the road.
