Illinois tennis team host #1 Ohio State tonight

URBANA - The Fighting Illini men's tennis team will host the #1 team in the nation tonight at Atkins Tennis Center. The match, a traditional non-conference contest between the Big 10 rivals, starts at 6 p.m.

Last week, the men's team won both matches in their doubleheader last Friday, defeating Eastern Illinois 5-0 win and knocking off #14 Baylor in a 5-2 decision.

The Buckeyes have not lost a match this season, including a 7-0 win over the Virginia Cavaliers, reigning national champions. This year's squad has recorded nine shutouts so far this season.

The OSU contingent includes three top-25 singles players. JJ Tracy is ranked #7, Jack Anthrop is #16, and Cannon Kingsley is #17.

Tonight's match will be a test of character for Illinois' top three players. Hunter Heck, ranked #39, has 13 wins and seven losses this season.

All-American Karlis Ozolins, the Fighting Illini's hard-serving junior, is 13-4 this season and currently ranked #30. When paired for doubles, Heck and Ozolins are ranked #3.

Moving up the ratings ladder, Kenta Miyoshi is having a splendid season with 16 wins against seven losses.

Admission to Illinois tennis matches is free to the public. Whether you are a competitive recreational or high school player, checking out University of Illinois home tennis matches is an excellent opportunity to watch high-level tennis court-level.

State Basketball |
PND defeats Nashville in 2A title game; Wardle duo Lead in thrilling victory

Peoria Notre Dame's Emy Wardle diees to the basket in the second half of the Class 2A title game at this year's girls' state basketball tournament. Wardle finished with a game-high 18 points to lift the Irish past the Hornettes, 48-46. The win was the first state basketball title for the PND girls program in school history.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - The 2A state championship game was a sister act, a family affair on both ends of the court in the IHSA season finale as Peoria Notre Dame edged past Nashville in a heart-stopping 48-46 thriller.

Leading the charge was PND's Emy Wardle, whose gritty performance propelled the Irish to victory. With an impressive tally of 18 points, Wardle showcased her scoring prowess, sinking crucial shots throughout the game. Her accuracy from the free-throw line, going 6-9, proved pivotal.

But it wasn't just Emy who left her mark on the court. Her sister, Mya Wardle, contributed 10 points to the scoreboard, adding to the family's dominance on the hardwood. Together, the Wardle sisters formed a formidable duo that proved too much for Nashville to handle.

Supporting the Wardle sisters were Kaitlin Cassidy and Julia Mingus, who delivered solid performances of their own. Cassidy's nine points, coupled with her four rebounds, provided crucial support, while Mingus chipped in with eight points, adding to PND's offensive firepower.

On the opposing side, Nashville fought tooth and nail, led by the scoring efforts of Emma Behrmann and Samantha Brinkman. Behrmann's 14 points and five rebounds kept her team in the game, while Brinkman's 12 points and six assists showcased her versatility on the court. Summer Brinkmann, Samantha's twin sister, also contributed nine points and led the team in rebounds with six.

Throughout the game, momentum swung back and forth, with the score tied five times and four lead changes keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Despite PND outscoring Nashville 17-14 in the first half, the outcome remained uncertain until the remaining six seconds in the contest.

It was Emy's layup with six seconds left in the final quarter that sealed the win for the Irish's first piece of IHSA girls' basketball state champion hardware in school history.