Illinois adds Aaliyah Guyton to women's basketball roster
CHAMPAIGN – The Fighting Illini women's basketball program is gearing up for a dynamic boost with the addition of Aaliyah Guyton, announced head coach Shauna Green. Guyton, a 5-foot-7-inch guard hailing from Peoria, Illinois, joins Illinois as a rising sophomore transfer from Iowa, marking a significant recruitment coup for the Big Ten squad.
Guyton, who played her prep ball at Peoria High School, brings a robust basketball pedigree to Champaign. Her career trajectory includes a notable stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes, where she made 29 appearances and averaged 4.7 points per game during her freshman campaign. Iowa, a formidable force in NCAA competition, secured a No. 6 seed in the tournament and advanced to the Round of 32 last season.
"I chose Illinois because of the strong sense of community, the incredible growth opportunities, and the chance to be part of something meaningful alongside an amazing team and staff," said Guyton, expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming season. "I'm truly grateful to Coach Green for recruiting me again; it really speaks to the belief she has in me. I'm excited to get started and be a part of the FamILLy!"
Recognized as the No. 57 prospect nationwide by ESPN HoopGurlz and the top player in Illinois by PrepGirlsHoops.com in the Class of 2024, Guyton's accolades extend beyond her collegiate debut. As a high school standout, she earned consensus all-state honors, averaging 21.6 points per game during her junior season before an injury-shortened senior year.
Coach Green expressed her excitement about Guyton's addition, highlighting her versatility and leadership potential. "I am absolutely thrilled to have Aaliyah join our family," said Green. "She brings Big Ten experience and the ability to lead our team at the point guard position. Aaliyah's scoring ability and elite defensive skills will be invaluable to our system. I cannot wait to get Aaliyah to campus!"
With Guyton set to don the orange and blue for the 2025-26 season, Illinois fans can look forward to her having a positive impact on and off the court. With the next season months away, the Fighting Illini look poised to capitalize on Guyton's talents as they pursue new heights in Big Ten competition.
Brazilian forward commits to Illinois, Illini land four-star Manuella Alves
Urbana - The Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball program has secured the commitment of highly touted forward Manuella Alves. The 6'3" Brazilian native will join the team next season after signing a Big Ten Athletics Scholarship Agreement during the National Signing Period.
Alves, a native of Rio de Janeiro, is ranked No. 61 in ESPNW's HoopGurlz rankings and a four-star recruit by 247Sports. She spent her junior year at Central Pointe Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida, where she averaged 7.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.
“I chose Illinois because I felt it was the right place for me," Alves said in a released statement. "I want to be great, and I know that Illinois is going to make me great.”
Alves has represented Brazil on the international stage, averaging 10.7 points and 8.2 rebounds at the 2024 FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup. She also contributed 9.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists at the 2023 South American U17 Women's Championship.
Known for her physical post presence and ability to score with her back to the basket, Alves is expected to make an immediate impact for the Illini.
"She’s someone that I have watched for the last couple years, and I’ve loved her since I first saw her," says Illinois Women’s Basketball Head Coach Shauna Green. "She brings that toughness to our game, and to our team. Manuella’s versatility is something that our whole staff really loves about her game. She can shoot from the outside, she can put it on the floor, she can defend multiple positions, and is another person that we could not be more excited about."
Alves' commitment adds depth to an Illinois roster that includes current Illini Lety Vasconcelos, who played alongside Alves on the Brazilian U18 team. The Fighting Illini will look to build on their success from last season, when they reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.
KEYWORDS: Illinois Women's Basketball, Manuella Alves, Top Recruit, Big Ten Athletics, FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup
Illinois Falls to Rutgers, Foley delivers 10th goal of the season
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Despite a resilient second-half defensive effort, Illinois soccer fell 2-1 to No. 20 Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Yurcak Field. The Illini, now 7-8-2 overall and 3-6-1 in Big Ten play, were unable to overcome a first-half deficit despite controlling much of the offensive action after the break.
Rutgers (10-3-3, 6-2-2 Big Ten) opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Riley Tiernan capitalized on an Illinois turnover in their defensive third, netting her fourth goal of the season. Just two minutes later, the Illini responded with a goal from Sarah Foley, leveling the game at 1-1. Foley’s strike marked her 10th goal of the season, solidifying her status as the team’s top scorer.
However, the Scarlet Knights reclaimed the lead at the 32-minute mark when Shaela Bradley scored off an assist from Tiernan. That would prove to be the game-winning goal, as neither team could find the back of the net in the second half.
Illinois applied pressure throughout the contest, outshooting Rutgers 15-10 and earning six corner kicks, five of which came in the second half. The Illini defense tightened after the break, holding the Scarlet Knights to just three shots, only one of which was on target. However, Rutgers’ defense, led by goalkeeper Olivia Bodmer’s five saves, held firm to protect their lead.
Illini goalkeeper Izzy Lee recorded four saves in the first half, helping to keep her team within striking distance. The Illinois attack kept pushing for an equalizer, but a lack of finishing touch in the final third left the Illini without a second goal.
Foley, a junior forward from Belleville, Ill., continues to be a standout for the Illini. In addition to her 10th goal of the season, she has been a key offensive contributor throughout the year. A 5-foot-5 Academic All-Big Ten selection, Foley started 15 consecutive matches last season and has been a vital part of Illinois’ attack this year.
The Illini return to action on October 27 for their 2024 season finale, hosting Northwestern at Demirjian Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT.
Keywords: Illinois soccer vs Rutgers, Sarah Foley goal, Illinois Big Ten soccer, Illinois soccer
Illini soccer team opens season with a shutout
Illini's Miyoshi wins back-to-back titles at ITA Nationals
SNS Sports – Illinois' Kenta Miyoshi successfully defended his title at the ITA National Summer Championships, winning the men’s singles tournament for the second consecutive year. Having strong summer season, he secured his spot in the ITA National Summer Championships after he won an ITA Summer Masters Series event in Madison, Wis., in July.
Surviving his semifinal match against No. 3 seed Lucas Brown from Texas 6-3, 6-7, 10-2, the Japanese native punched his ticket to the title match for a rematch against Florida State’s Jamie Connel.
In 2023, summoning every ounce of tenacity he could muster, Miyoshi won their earlier meeting 2-6, 6-4, 10-7. On Tuesday, took command early and delivered a 6-3, 6-3, decision over Connel on Tuesday at the Leftwich Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Memphis.
During his sophomore season, all eyes will be on the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar who ended with a 27-9 record in singles and 18-10 record in doubles. Miyoshi finished his sophomore year undefeated in singles during Big Ten play with a 6-0 record and ended the 2023-24 season with a 10-match undefeated streak in doubles.
Kenta Miyoshi tosses the ball for a serve at the 2023 Illini Open. The Fighting Illini junior won his second straight ITA National Summer Championship title on Tuesday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Sims-Fletcher joins the Illini gymnastics program
CHAMPAIGN - Illinois women's gymnastics program appointed Aja Sims-Fletcher as an assistant coach. The announcement of the staff addition came Thursday from Fighting Illini head coach Nadalie Walsh.
"From the very first conversation in the hiring process, it was immediately apparent to me that she is a woman of positivity, gratitude, resilience, and excellence," Walsh said yesterday in a statement. "I believe she will connect incredibly well with the student-athletes and will help us continue to cultivate a champion-minded team."
Aja Sims-Fletcher joins the Illinois women's gymnastics program this fall.
Photo provided
New foes for the Illini; Oregon and Washington join the Big Ten Conference
CHAMPAIGN - Yesterday, the Big Ten formally welcomed Oregon and Washington universities into the conference, expanding it to an 18-team super conference, the largest in the history of college football. As the league’s 17th and 18th members, the two schools will begin competing in all sports starting August 2 next year.
The Ducks and Husky programs become the third and fourth Pac-12 members to leave the conference for the Big Ten in the last 13 months. USC and UCLA announced their departures last summer and joined the league fold. The addition of four west coast schools makes the super conference a coast-to-coast revenue generator.
In a statement released this morning, Athletic Director Josh Whitman welcomed Illinois' two new rivals to the Big Ten next year.
"Like Illinois, Oregon and Washington are the flagship universities of their respective states," Whitman said. "They are renowned academic institutions that have long and celebrated histories of excellence at the intersection of higher education and intercollegiate athletics. We are thrilled to have them as peers, colleagues, and competitors."
He added that new athletic rivals will create "unique opportunities for our student-athletes to experience new parts of our country, to compete against the best and brightest from all across the nation, and to develop personal networks in new sectors and locations."
The conference expansion may not be over. Circulating scuttlebutt indicates the Big Ten is also considering adding other programs like Notre Dame, Stanford, California State, or perhaps a school or two from the ACC, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network.
"College athletics remains in a period of intense disruption. At a time when the Big Ten's voice and influence must be at its strongest, maintaining a robust philosophical alignment among the conference's growing membership has never been more needed," Whitman said. "Oregon and Washington embody the Big Ten's long-held values, and all of us at Illinois look forward to partnering with them on issues large and small in the years ahead."
The Big Ten is big spender in a buyer's market. The conference's media rights revenue is huge. Speculation from ESPN and other sources says the pot of gold for the television rights is around $30 million in 2024 with annual $1 million escalators until the completion of new deals with broadcasters. According to CBS, Oregon and Washington will receive something north of 50% shares of Big Ten media rights revenue until their contracts are renewed. Meanwhile, the other Big Ten members will rake in $60 million or more a year.
The Ducks and Husky programs become the third and fourth Pac-12 members to leave the conference for the Big Ten in the last 13 months. USC and UCLA announced their departures last summer and joined the league fold. The addition of four west coast schools makes the super conference a coast-to-coast revenue generator.
In a statement released this morning, Athletic Director Josh Whitman welcomed Illinois' two new rivals to the Big Ten next year.
"Like Illinois, Oregon and Washington are the flagship universities of their respective states," Whitman said. "They are renowned academic institutions that have long and celebrated histories of excellence at the intersection of higher education and intercollegiate athletics. We are thrilled to have them as peers, colleagues, and competitors."
He added that new athletic rivals will create "unique opportunities for our student-athletes to experience new parts of our country, to compete against the best and brightest from all across the nation, and to develop personal networks in new sectors and locations."
The conference expansion may not be over. Circulating scuttlebutt indicates the Big Ten is also considering adding other programs like Notre Dame, Stanford, California State, or perhaps a school or two from the ACC, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network.
"College athletics remains in a period of intense disruption. At a time when the Big Ten's voice and influence must be at its strongest, maintaining a robust philosophical alignment among the conference's growing membership has never been more needed," Whitman said. "Oregon and Washington embody the Big Ten's long-held values, and all of us at Illinois look forward to partnering with them on issues large and small in the years ahead."
The Big Ten is big spender in a buyer's market. The conference's media rights revenue is huge. Speculation from ESPN and other sources says the pot of gold for the television rights is around $30 million in 2024 with annual $1 million escalators until the completion of new deals with broadcasters. According to CBS, Oregon and Washington will receive something north of 50% shares of Big Ten media rights revenue until their contracts are renewed. Meanwhile, the other Big Ten members will rake in $60 million or more a year.
Fighting Illini tennis team opens Big 10 schedule with shutout over the Nittany Lions
URBANA - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team dominated Penn State with a quick 4-0 decision to kick off their Big 10 campaign on Friday at Atkins Tennis Center. Illinois locked down the double point barely 35 minutes after the opening serve. Sophomore Karlis Ozolins and partner Hunter Heck were the first to finish on the doubles court, cruising past Penn's Charl Morgan and Malik Bhatnagar, 6-3. Mathis Debru and Oliver Okonkwo secured the doubs competition with a 6-2 victory over Loren Byers and Sam Bossem, representing the Nittany Lions. Chicago Latin alum Nic Meister chalked up the first singles win of the evening for the Illini defeating Bhatnagar, 6-2, 6-1. Playing on the top court, Ozolins consistently pounded out 120+ mph serves, frustrating Morgan to a 6-1, 6-4 finish. The Illini earned their fourth point after Okonkwo took down Penn State's Stefan Simeunovic, 6-2, 6-4. The Illini, now 1-0 in conference play, face national tennis powerhouse Ohio State on Sunday at noon.
BOX SCORE
Illinois 4, Penn State 0
Doubles
1. #49 Karlis Ozolins/Hunter Heck (ILL) def. Charl Morgan/Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-3
2. #56 Mathis Debru/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Loren Byers/Sam Bossem (PSU) 6-2
3. Alex Petrov/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) vs. Stefan Simeunovic/Miko Eala (PSU) 5-2, unfinished
Singles
1. #33 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Charl Morgan (PSU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Alex Petrov (ILL) vs. Loren Byers (PSU) 6-0, 5-2, unfinished
3. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Miko Eala (PSU) 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
4. William Mroz (ILL) vs. Sam Bossem (PSU) 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Stefan Simeunovic (PSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Nic Meister (ILL) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
1. #49 Karlis Ozolins/Hunter Heck (ILL) def. Charl Morgan/Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-3
2. #56 Mathis Debru/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Loren Byers/Sam Bossem (PSU) 6-2
3. Alex Petrov/Kenta Miyoshi (ILL) vs. Stefan Simeunovic/Miko Eala (PSU) 5-2, unfinished
Singles
1. #33 Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Charl Morgan (PSU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Alex Petrov (ILL) vs. Loren Byers (PSU) 6-0, 5-2, unfinished
3. Hunter Heck (ILL) vs. Miko Eala (PSU) 3-6, 1-4, unfinished
4. William Mroz (ILL) vs. Sam Bossem (PSU) 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
5. Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) def. Stefan Simeunovic (PSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Nic Meister (ILL) def. Malik Bhatnagar (PSU) 6-2, 6-1
Illini tennis picks up first win of the season in Vegas
LAS VEGAS -– The Illinois women's tennis team earned its first win of the 2022 season with a 5-2 victory over Brigham Young University on Monday, January 17.
"I am really happy for our team today," said head coach Evan Clark. "We had a really tough match to start our season yesterday and for them to bounce back today and beat a very good BYU team tells me a lot about the squad we have. These matches will really help us down the road with our tough non-conference and Big Ten schedule. We are excited to be back at Atkins on Thursday night for our home opener vs. Harvard."
The Illini lost their season opener to #11-ranked Baylor on Sunday, 6-1.
Illinois secured the doubles point with a 6-1 victory from Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah, who are 2-0 together at No. 2 doubles. Emily Casati and Illinois newcomer Kasia Treiber also won their match over BYU's Emilee Astle and Kara Lin, 6-1.
The Illini dominated the #1 and #2 positions in singles with Kate Duong and Ashley Yeah noticing relatively easy wins.
Back on the court again after her doubles bout, Treiber then sealed the Illinois win with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Emilee Astle at No. 5 singles.
Heuser, who fell 5-2 with Doung at #1 doubles, turned around and posted a come-from-behind win on court four, 1-6, 6-2, 6-0.
Box Score
Illinois 5, BYU 2
Doubles
1. Anastasia Abramyan/Yujia Huang (BYU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 5-2
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Leah Heimuli/Jacque Dunyon (BYU) 6-1
3. Kasia Treiber/Emily Casati (ILL) def. Emilee Astle/Kara Lin (BYU) 6-1
Singles
1. Kate Duong (ILL) def. Leah Heimuli (BYU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Jacque Dunyon (BYU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
4. Megan Heuser (ILL) def. Yujia Huang (BYU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-0
5. Kasia Treiber (ILL) def. Emilee Astle (BYU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Madison Smith (BYU) def. Kida Ferrari (ILL) 7-5, 1-6, 6-0
1. Anastasia Abramyan/Yujia Huang (BYU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 5-2
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Leah Heimuli/Jacque Dunyon (BYU) 6-1
3. Kasia Treiber/Emily Casati (ILL) def. Emilee Astle/Kara Lin (BYU) 6-1
Singles
1. Kate Duong (ILL) def. Leah Heimuli (BYU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Jacque Dunyon (BYU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Anastasia Abramyan (BYU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
4. Megan Heuser (ILL) def. Yujia Huang (BYU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-0
5. Kasia Treiber (ILL) def. Emilee Astle (BYU) 7-5, 6-3
6. Madison Smith (BYU) def. Kida Ferrari (ILL) 7-5, 1-6, 6-0
Ferrari nets first singles win for Illini
LAS VEGAS –- Freshman Kida Ferrari notched the Illini women's tennis program's first win of the season at the Bella the Ball Collegiate Invitational on Sunday. Her first collegiate win - a nailbiter - came via a 7-5, 7-6 (1) decision over Baylor's Ana Zamburek during Illinois' first tennis match of the season.
Unfortunately, the rest of the squad did not fare as well as the Illini dropped their season opener to the #11 ranked Lady Bears, 6-1.
Illinois earned just one win towards the doubles point thanks to Josie Frazier and Ashley Yeah. The junior duo snagged a win on the #2 doubles court, besting Baylor's Isabella Harvison and Alicia Herrero.
The Illini lost three of their singles matches in tiebreakers. Illinois' freshman Megan Heuser struggled in her first set against Herrero on the #4 court. Finding her game, Heuser stormed back to take the second set, 6-1. The stage was now set for a third-set thriller, which ended at 6-all. In the end, Herrero outlasted the Heuser 11-9 to take the match.
BOX SCORE Baylor 6, Illinois 1
Doubles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina/Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 7-5
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Isabella Harvison/Alicia Herrero (BU) 6-4
3. Ana Zamburek/Paula Baranano (BU) def. Emily Casati/Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1
Singles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina (BU) def. Kate Duong (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-1
2. Isabella Harvison (BU) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Alicia Herrero (BU) def. Megan Heuser (ILL) 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9)
5. Paula Baranano (BU) def. Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
6. Kida Ferrari (ILL) def. Ana Zamburek (BU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-1)
1. Alina Shcherbinina/Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Kate Duong/Megan Heuser (ILL) 7-5
2. Josie Frazier/Ashley Yeah (ILL) def. Isabella Harvison/Alicia Herrero (BU) 6-4
3. Ana Zamburek/Paula Baranano (BU) def. Emily Casati/Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1
Singles -
1. Alina Shcherbinina (BU) def. Kate Duong (ILL) 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-1
2. Isabella Harvison (BU) def. Ashley Yeah (ILL) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
3. Anita Sahdiieva (BU) def. Josie Frazier (ILL) 6-3, 6-4
4. Alicia Herrero (BU) def. Megan Heuser (ILL) 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (11-9)
5. Paula Baranano (BU) def. Kasia Treiber (ILL) 6-1, 3-6, 6-0
6. Kida Ferrari (ILL) def. Ana Zamburek (BU) 7-5, 7-6 (7-1)
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