CHICAGO – The UIC women's tennis team will get its 2017 dual season underway Saturday when it hosts Toledo at XS Tennis at 10 a.m. CT.
 
The Flames will be looking to improve off of last season's 13-8 output and second-place finish in the Horizon League with a 7-2 record. In the Preseason Coaches' Poll released last week, they were picked to finish as the runner-up in the standings again after acquiring four first-place votes and 70 total points, just four shy of reigning league champion Youngstown State.
 
UIC competed in three tournaments during the fall and turned out a 26-17 singles record and 12-9 mark in doubles. Pacing the Flames in singles was junior Bianca Zuzu and freshman Stefana Vasic with 6-2 records, while sophomore Rachel Le Comber and Vasic went 4-2 in doubles along with junior Melika LeBlanc and sophomore Georgie Sanders at 4-3.
 
Toledo began its 2017 campaign last Saturday (Jan. 14) with a 6-1 loss at Purdue. The Rockets' lone point came at No. 1 singles with Sidnay Huck taking the straight-set victory, while the duo of Huck and Deedee Leenabanchong also turned out a win at No. 1 doubles.
 
The Flames are 9-3 in the all-time series with the Rockets after taking a 5-2 win on the road last season. Saturday's match will be the 10th-consecutive season the two teams have faced one another.