Julie Byrne and Hannah McColganJulie Byrne and Hannah McColgan

'Cats Host No. 26 Illinois Friday at Combe Tennis Center

EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 13 Northwestern (6-5, 1-0 Big Ten) host No. 26 Illinois (5-5, 0-0 Big Ten) and continue Big Ten play on Friday, March 1, at 5 p.m. CT at the Combe Tennis Center.

Live stats and a stream are available for the contest.
 
The Wildcats head into their second conference match of the season after dominating Iowa on February 22 with a commanding 7-0 win. Northwestern first took the doubles point with quick wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles, those matches ending 6-0 and 6-1 respectively. All players won their singles matches, and three players went undefeated in sets, with Carol Finke notably winning 6-0, 6-0 at No. 6. Later in the weekend, Northwestern fell to No. 20 Pepperdine, 5-2.
 
Four Northwestern players are ranked nationally at this point in the season. First-year Clarissa Hand is ranked No. 30 in the nation as a singles player, and junior Julie Byrne checks in at No. 109. The duo of Hand and senior Lee Or sit at No. 20 in the nation, while Byrne and first-year Hannah McColgan are close behind at No. 27 for doubles.
 
Illinois comes into the match with a 5-5 record so far on the season and has yet to face a Big Ten opponent. When Northwestern and the Fighting Illini faced off last season, Northwestern toppled the then-ranked No. 5 team 4-3 in Champaign.

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