Leading the new class is Abby Anderson, a forward from Surrey, British Columbia. A standout for Unity FC and Surrey United SC, Anderson was named the 2023 Surrey United Female Player of the Year and earned the Dana Cup U17 Best Player Award. She also played for Canada’s U17 National Team pool. “I love the environment and the tight-knit group of kind players and coaches,” Anderson said. “I could definitely see myself growing as a player and as an individual at Illinois.”
From Indiana, Cadence Conrad joins the Illini midfield after a strong run with Indy Premier SC and William Henry Harrison High School. Known for her high work rate and leadership, Conrad said she was drawn to Illinois’ “amazing atmosphere” and “family environment.”
Presli Houk, a dynamic attacking player from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, arrives with a strong scoring pedigree. The Sporting Blue Valley standout has tallied double-digit goals in each of the last three seasons and helped her club capture the 2024 North American Cup title. She’s a two-time All-State selection and a 2026 Top-20 Kansas City soccer prospect.
In the forward group, Avia Hughes from League City, Texas, adds international experience to the mix. A former participant in four U.S. National Team camps and a 2025 Ghana U21 National Team invitee, Hughes brings both flair and discipline to the attack. “Illinois feels like the perfect place for me to continue developing my skills and preparing for the professional level,” she said.
In one of the day’s featured matches, 21-year-old Jay Friend of Japan battled past American Alfredo Perez in three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3. Friend, who showcased a powerful and consistent first serve throughout the match, took control early by winning 86% of his first-serve points in the opening set. After a dip in accuracy during the second, the young right-hander regained command in the final frame, converting 83% of his first serves and maintaining steady composure from the baseline to secure the win. His next test comes against the winner of Tuesday’s match between top seed Nicolas Mejia of Colombia and Germany’s Cedrik-Marcel Stebe.
American Adhithya Ganesan also advanced with a confident straight-sets victory over Great Britain’s Oliver Okonkwo, 6-3, 7-5. Ganesan’s sharp return game and reliable service rhythm proved decisive, as he won 65% of his overall service points and captured 31 points on return. Okonkwo, a former University of Illinois standout, managed a solid 67% success rate on first serves but faltered on his second serve, winning just 9 of 25 points. His tournament, however, continues in doubles, where he’ll reunite with fellow Illini alumnus Kenta Miyoshi.
As the tournament continues on the indoor hard courts of the Atkins Tennis Center, Tuesday’s lineup brings the top two seeds into play. No. 1 Nicolas Mejia faces Stebe following the morning matches on the Schwartz Court, while No. 2 Johannus Monday of Great Britain meets American Micah Braswell at 10 a.m. on the Goldberg Court.
Monday's results and Tuesday tournament schedule are available below.
CHAMPAIGN - The qualifying round at the Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger continues today at the Atkins Tennis Center. The indoor hard-court tournament runs this week in Champaign-Urbana with a mix of emerging talents and seasoned tour veterans competing for valuable ATP ranking points.
Today's opening draw for the the Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger starts at 10 a.m.
General admission is $10 per person.
Hosted at the University of Illinois’ premier tennis facility, the Champaign Challenger continues to serve as a key late-season stop on the U.S. circuit, offering players a final chance to improve rankings before year’s end and giving local fans an up-close look at future stars of the sport. Follow the tournament online for the Paine Schwartz daily draw.
CHAMPAIGN - The annual Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger is underway at the Atkins Tennis Center in Champaign, bringing professional men’s tennis back to central Illinois as part of the ATP Challenger Tour. The indoor hard-court tournament runs November 9–16 and features a mix of emerging talents and seasoned tour veterans competing for valuable ATP ranking points.
Today's opening draw for the the Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger starts at 10 a.m. Winners from these matches will advance to the main draw, which begins early this week and is expected to feature several ATP Top 200 players.
Among the challengers are University of Illinois players Jeremy Zhang and Mathis Debru, who take the court in today's qualifying singles round at Atkins Tennis Center. Both Fighting Illini players will start their run on the Schwartz Court.
General admission is $10 per person.
Hosted at the University of Illinois’ premier tennis facility, the Champaign Challenger continues to serve as a key late-season stop on the U.S. circuit, offering players a final chance to improve rankings before year’s end and giving local fans an up-close look at future stars of the sport. Follow the tournament online for the Paine Schwartz daily draw.
![Image of text that says 'THE [3] Jacob BRUMM (USA) VS [Alt] Drew VAN ORDERLAIN (USA) Pranav KUMAR (USA) [7] Ryan FISHBACK (USA) [WC] Marcel LATAK (USA) [8] Noah SCHACHTER (USA) Lui MAXTED (GBR) FollowedBy Preston BROWN (USA) [WC] Jeremy ZHANG (AUS) [11] Enzo WALLART (USA) Shunsuke MITSUI (JPN) Befare [WC] Benedict GRAFT (USA) Ozan BARIS (USA) 14:00 [10] Ryan SEGGERMAN (USA) [Alt] Tom HANDS (GBR) FollowedB [9] Maik STEINER (GER) [5] Peter BERTRAN (DOM) Folowed [Alt] Taym AL AZMEH (GER) Quinn VANDECASTEELE FallowedBy [Alt] (USA) [6] Pablo MARTINEZ GOMEZ (ESP) VS [WC] Mathis DEBRU (FRA) Noah ZAMORA (USA) Vs [12] Brandon PEREZ (VEN)'](https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/580507439_1620097388947238_3962966519851463442_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=-AgywOIiiXkQ7kNvwFhbT_j&_nc_oc=Adm2srhLyXIp-sObXDLrQlnEX3gbbDGzZnYq4Za-fMJWwBw2yjtozEqKqKC3Ux-duhU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&_nc_gid=Z696MMyDqJQGllvYHr7Mzg&oh=00_Afg2SzHQb5hEruqwmSJi7HT8TzYDUZVCaW-BbjHOPaLqzA&oe=69169A1C)
by Alan Look
CHAMPAIGN - In a clash of ranked titans, No. 1 Ohio State marched into Champaign and left with a 34-16 victory that felt more like a statement than a score.
The Fighting Illini, riding a wave of momentum and a top-20 ranking, had hoped to shake the national order. But the Buckeyes, seasoned and unshaken, reminded everyone why they sit atop the college football throne, thanks to short-field scoring that produced 24 points on drives starting inside the 40-yard line.
From the opening drive, Ohio State dictated tempo and tone. Their defense swarmed, their offense churned, and their stars delivered. Bo Jackson, the Buckeyes’ bruising backfield presence, carved out critical yardage and capped drives with the kind of physicality that defines championship football. His contributions weren’t flashy - they were foundational.
Illinois, for its part, refused to fold. Hank Beatty, the Illini’s reliable route runner, found seams and kept chains moving, offering glimpses of the grit that earned his team national respect. But against the Buckeyes’ relentless pressure and opportunistic execution, those flashes weren’t enough. Adding insult to injury, Illinois (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) turned the ball over three times, leading to 21 of Ohio State’s points.
Luke Altmyer threw for 248 yards and one touchdown on 30-of-44 passing. Collin Dixon caught four passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Aidan Laughery added 50 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Matthew Bailey led the Illini defense with eight tackles, including 1.0 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a reaffirmation. Ohio State didn’t just beat Illinois. The Buckeyes outlasted, outmuscled, and outclassed them.
After Ohio State opened the game with 20 unanswered points, Illinois got on the board with one minute remaining before halftime on David Olano’s 24-yard field goal.
In the second half, Altmyer led a 12-play, 75-yard drive finished by a one-yard Laughery touchdown to bring the Illini within 10, 20-10. The score, off an option pitch from Hank Beatty, was the first rushing touchdown surrendered by the Ohio State defense this season.
Later, Ohio State extended its lead to 34-10 with two additional touchdowns, keeping the Illibuck Trophy in Columbus and its perfect season intact.
Kentucky (5-1-0) struck first just two minutes into the contest when a deflected shot off an Illinois defender slipped past keeper Izzy Lee. It marked the first goal the Illini had allowed this season.
Illinois responded quickly. In the 17th minute, Ashley Stellon forced a turnover deep in Kentucky’s end and found Cayla Jackson wide open in the box. Jackson delivered, drilling a shot inside the right post to even the score.
The eventual game-winner came in the 43rd minute when Ellen Persson rose for a header off a Stellon corner kick. The goal, Persson’s first of the season and second of her career, gave Illinois a 2-1 lead it would not relinquish. Stellon finished with two assists, her third and fourth career helpers.
Lee anchored the back line with seven saves against Kentucky’s 19 total shots, including a diving stop in the 80th minute on a strike from distance that nearly tied the match.
Despite being outshot 19-7 and conceding an 8-4 edge in shots on goal, Illinois made the most of its chances to remain perfect under first-year coach Katie Hultin. She joins Tricia Taliaferro (1999) as the only Illinois coaches to begin their tenures with five straight wins.
The victory also marked Kentucky’s first home loss since Oct. 15, 2023, when the Wildcats fell 2-0 to Mississippi State. The last time Kentucky lost at home to a non-conference opponent was Sept. 22, 2019, against Central Michigan.
Illinois returns to action Thursday at Missouri, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. CT. The Illini are back at Demirjian Park on Sunday, Sept. 7, for Senior Day against Valparaiso at 1 p.m.
“I’m honored and excited to be joining Illinois soccer,” said Whisler, who was was selected to the 2021-22 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under Program, a year-long education and mentorship opportunity designed to support up-and-coming members of the coaching profession who are 30 years of age or younger. “I would like to thank coach Hultin for the opportunity to continue coaching alongside her. I cannot wait to get started with our student-athletes and pour into all aspects of our program.” Whisler has plenty of experience on the pitch. A four-year athlete, she played in 69 matches during her career from 2015 to 2018.We are excited to announce the addition of @aulani_whisler as an assistant coach!
— Illinois Soccer (@IlliniSoccer) January 2, 2025
Welcome to Champaign!#Illini | #HTTO | #UP ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/4btD4gRyS3
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