Conference play will begin Sunday, when UIC visits Northern Kentucky for the first Horizon League match of the season.

The Flames bring a 1-12 non-conference record into the match.  With a host of Power 5 and nationally-ranked teams on the slate, the team's record belies their tenacity on the courts and overall level of play.  A home-and-home, double round robin schedule within the conference will give the Flames eight chances to match up against their Horizon League rivals and fight for seeding in the conference tournament.

Pelle Strandberg has been the Flames' anchor in the #1 singles slot.  He is tied for the team lead with nine overall singles wins, four of which have come in dual match play.  Freshman Ammar Wazir also has nine singles wins.  He won the first six matches of his collegiate career.

The Norse have a 5-3 record entering the weekend.  They will start conference play Saturday against IUPUI.  Brandon Ponomarew leads the team with four singles wins, all of which came in the #4 flight.  Ponomarew and Trevor Ball are undefeated (3-0) at #3 doubles.

Sunday's match will start at 11:30 a.m. Central at Withrow High School in Cincinnati.