CHICAGO – The defending Horizon League Champion UIC women's tennis team will make its 2020 dual season debut this weekend, making the short trip north to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on Marquette. First serve is set for 9:30 a.m. CT inside at Helfaer Tennis & Recreation Center.
The Flames were picked to repeat as Horizon League Champions in this year's Horizon League Preseason Poll, collecting 79 total points and seven first-place votes. Cleveland State was selected to finish second with 68 total points, followed by Oakland in third with 66 total points and the remaining two first-place votes.
Last year's championship squad finished the dual season 20-6 with an 8-1 mark in Horizon League play that included an impressive 15-match win streak spanning Feb. 9-April 14. Under the direction of reigning Horizon League Coach of the Year,
Shannon Tully, UIC returns All-League First Team member
Lejla Colic as well as All-League Second Team honorees
Karyna Bihel and
Lucie Prochazkova.
New to the Flames this season is freshman
Izzy Marshall, who had an impressive fall tournament season, racking up 10 singles wins in 13 matches and advancing to the Qualifying Round at the Midwest ITA Regional competition back in October. The Milton Keynes, UK native also took home the H Draw title at the Wildcat Invitational.
UIC also welcomes sophomore transfer
Marina Hermanny de Figueiredo to Chicago after spending her freshman season down in Baton Rouge, LA at Louisiana State. While with the Tigers, Hermanny de Figueiredo compiled a 4-3 record in singles and a 5-1 record in doubles competition.
As a squad, the Flames turned in a 28-22 record in singles action in the fall with a 13-7 mark in doubles competition. Aside from Marshall, Prochazkova picked up the most wins with seven, followed by
Nell Arendt with five.
Marquette is coming off a 12-10 record last dual season, posting a 4-2 record in Big East competition. The Golden Eagles were 7-1 last season in matches played on their own turf.
Following its season opener, UIC will head down to Normal, Ill. for an in-state matchup with Illinois State on Sunday, Feb. 2.
