Wisconsin Women’s Tennis: Building Momentum as Big Ten Play Begins
The Wisconsin Badgers women’s tennis team enters a crucial phase of their season, opening Big Ten competition against Illinois on February 20th. Coming off a successful Arkansas road trip, the team appears poised to continue its winning streak. This matchup marks a significant step as the Badgers aim to build on recent successes and solidify their position within the conference.
Recent Successes Fuel Confidence
Wisconsin concluded its Arkansas trip with impressive victories over Arkansas (4-1) and Kansas (4-0). A key moment from the Arkansas match came from senior Maria Sholokhova, who secured a ranked upset against No. 22 Carolina Gomez Alonso. This victory set a positive tone for the team and demonstrated Sholokhova’s ability to perform under pressure. The sweep against Kansas was further solidified by Parker Christensen’s straight-set win at No. 6 singles, sealing the team’s triumph.
Scouting the Opponent: Illinois
Illinois enters the contest with a 3-5 record, having recently secured a 4-3 road win against Iowa State. The Illini demonstrated resilience by rallying in singles play after dropping the doubles point. Key victories from Tess Bucher, Cara Mester, and Lizzie Isyanov, with Isyanov clinching the match in three sets, highlighted their ability to perform when it matters most. This suggests a team capable of overcoming adversity and securing crucial points.
Historical Advantage and Projected Lineups
Wisconsin holds a historical advantage in the series against Illinois, leading 29-24. Their most recent win came last season, a 4-1 victory at home. The Badgers will look to continue this trend on the road.
The projected lineups for the match are as follows:
Doubles
- No. 1 – Maria Sholokhova and Lucie Urbanova
- No. 2 – Ekaterina Ivanova and Ellison Reynoldson
- No. 3 – Tianna Rangan and Kaede Usui
Singles
- No. 1 – Maria Sholokhova
- No. 2 – Ekaterina Ivanova
- No. 3 – Tianna Rangan
- No. 4 – Ellison Reynoldson
- No. 5 – Kaja Jacobson
- No. 6 – Kaede Usui
Looking Ahead: West Coast Swing
Following the Illinois match, Wisconsin will return to Nielsen Tennis Stadium to host UCLA on March 6th and USC on March 8th. This West Coast weekend presents another challenging opportunity for the Badgers to test their skills against top competition.
FAQ
Q: What is Maria Sholokhova’s recent accomplishment?
A: Maria Sholokhova recently achieved a ranked upset over No. 22 Carolina Gomez Alonso and is the first Badger in program history to capture both the ITA singles and doubles titles.
Q: What is Wisconsin’s record against Illinois?
A: Wisconsin holds a 29-24 advantage in the all-time series against Illinois.
Q: Where will Wisconsin play after the Illinois match?
A: Wisconsin will host UCLA and USC at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
Did you realize? Maria Sholokhova and Lucia Urbanova won the doubles championship at the ITA All-American Championships, a first in program history.
Stay updated with Wisconsin Women’s Tennis by visiting the official Badgers website for schedules, results, and more.
