Wednesday, April 23
Ojai, Calif.
5 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Illinois
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Open Big Ten Tournament Play Against Illinois
4/22/2025 3:14:00 PM | Women's Tennis
OJAI, Calif. - On the heels of a flawless Indiana road trip, Northwestern Women's Tennis (13-12, 6-7 B1G) heads to Ojai, Calif., for the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. The final two wins of the regular season earned the 'Cats the No. 10 seed, pitting them against rival Illinois. First serve is set for Wednesday at 5 p.m. CT, and the match will be streamed on B1G+.
Over the weekend, Northwestern earned seven singles victories - six of which came in straight sets. Autumn Rabjohns and Sydney Pratt recorded two individual victories each, and Kiley Rabjohns, Britany Lau and Neena Feldman chipped in with one apiece. Feldman's three-set match-clinching victory against Indiana was good for the first of her career at the No. 2 spot, while Pratt's win in straight sets in the same match was the 50th overall of her dual-season career.
The two team wins kept the 'Cats at No. 50 in Tuesday's ITA team rankings, and Pratt's 2-0 weekend improved her to No. 107 in the singles rankings.
Heading into the tournament, seventh-seeded Illinois (13-11, 8-5 B1G) also defeated Indiana and Purdue this past weekend. The Illini's win over Northwestern on April 12 was the first of a three-match winning streak to end the regular season, and also served as the second dual season victory over the 'Cats in 2025. Following the run, Illinois was ranked No. 42 nationally by the ITA. The doubles duo of Megan Heuser and Kida Ferrari are the 85th-ranked pair in the nation after going 11-13 this year and winning three of their past four matches.
Even after the pair of losses to the Illini this season, Northwestern still holds the advantage in the all-time series, at 55-14. The Wildcats will be looking to snap a six-match skid against their in-state rivals in their Wednesday afternoon match-up.
Northwestern currently holds the record for the most Big Ten Tournament titles by any team in conference history, with 17. They most recently won the title in 2014.
Should they beat Illinois in the first round, the 'Cats would be faced with No. 2 seed Ohio State on Thursday evening in the quarterfinals. That match would begin at 5 p.m. CT.
Over the weekend, Northwestern earned seven singles victories - six of which came in straight sets. Autumn Rabjohns and Sydney Pratt recorded two individual victories each, and Kiley Rabjohns, Britany Lau and Neena Feldman chipped in with one apiece. Feldman's three-set match-clinching victory against Indiana was good for the first of her career at the No. 2 spot, while Pratt's win in straight sets in the same match was the 50th overall of her dual-season career.
The two team wins kept the 'Cats at No. 50 in Tuesday's ITA team rankings, and Pratt's 2-0 weekend improved her to No. 107 in the singles rankings.
Heading into the tournament, seventh-seeded Illinois (13-11, 8-5 B1G) also defeated Indiana and Purdue this past weekend. The Illini's win over Northwestern on April 12 was the first of a three-match winning streak to end the regular season, and also served as the second dual season victory over the 'Cats in 2025. Following the run, Illinois was ranked No. 42 nationally by the ITA. The doubles duo of Megan Heuser and Kida Ferrari are the 85th-ranked pair in the nation after going 11-13 this year and winning three of their past four matches.
Even after the pair of losses to the Illini this season, Northwestern still holds the advantage in the all-time series, at 55-14. The Wildcats will be looking to snap a six-match skid against their in-state rivals in their Wednesday afternoon match-up.
Northwestern currently holds the record for the most Big Ten Tournament titles by any team in conference history, with 17. They most recently won the title in 2014.
Should they beat Illinois in the first round, the 'Cats would be faced with No. 2 seed Ohio State on Thursday evening in the quarterfinals. That match would begin at 5 p.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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