Friday, April 4
Evanston, Ill.
4:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Ohio State
Photo by: Cami Henry/Northwestern Athletics
Women's Tennis Returns Home to Host Ohio State and Penn State
4/3/2025 5:07:00 PM | Women's Tennis
EVANSTON, Ill. - No. 47 Northwestern Women's Tennis (10-10, 3-5 B1G) returns home to Combe Tennis Center this weekend to host No. 11 Ohio State and No. 42 Penn State. The 'Cats are set to take on the Buckeyes on Friday at 4:30 p.m. CT, then host the Nittany Lions on Sunday at noon.
Despite two losses this past weekend, Northwestern put two singles competitors on the ITA National Rankings headed into this weekend: No. 99 Sydney Pratt and No. 122 Erica Jessel. The rankings follow major upsets from both players, Pratt defeating the 34th-ranked Lily Jones in straight sets, and Jessel defeating then-No. 3 Julia Fliegner. The win snapped Fliegner's 13-match win streak and made Jessel the first Wildcat first-year to feature in the ITA rankings since Maria Shusharina on April 28, 2021.
No. 11 Ohio State (13-2, 7-1 B1G) enters this weekend riding a five-match win streak, having won ten of their previous 11 matches. Four of the last five wins have come against ranked opponents in Michigan State, Maryland, USC and UCLA. This week, the ITA has ranked five Buckeyes in singles competition: Luciana Perry at No. 9, Teah Chavez at No. 37, Sydni Ratliff at No. 85, Audrey Spencer at No. 102 and Shelly Bereznyak at No. 119. Perry and Chavez rank in doubles play as well, at No. 10 nationally.
Historically, the 'Cats have had the Buckeyes' number, boasting a 42-14 record against their conference rivals. However, Ohio State will be seeking their fifth straight victory over the Wildcats this weekend after winning each of the most recent four meetings. The last contest between the two teams came in the semifinals of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, where Ohio State claimed a 4-1 victory.
Sunday's trip to Evanston will be the second stop for the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-5, 4-4 B1G), who will battle Illinois on Saturday before facing the 'Cats. Penn State has struggled in conference play recently, as they've dropped four of their last six matches after defeating Indiana and No. 65 Purdue to start Big Ten dual play.
Northwestern is undefeated against the Nittany Lions, owning a 35-0 all-time record over Penn State. The last victory for the 'Cats came on April 21 of last season, when they downed their opponents 4-2 in the regular-season finale. Britany Lau went a perfect 2-0 on the day and secured match point with a win at No. 6 singles.
Following the weekend slate, the 'Cats will wrap up their home schedule by welcoming Illinois on April 12 on Senior Day - their sole match next weekend. Senior Day festivities will precede the match, which is scheduled to begin at noon CT.
Despite two losses this past weekend, Northwestern put two singles competitors on the ITA National Rankings headed into this weekend: No. 99 Sydney Pratt and No. 122 Erica Jessel. The rankings follow major upsets from both players, Pratt defeating the 34th-ranked Lily Jones in straight sets, and Jessel defeating then-No. 3 Julia Fliegner. The win snapped Fliegner's 13-match win streak and made Jessel the first Wildcat first-year to feature in the ITA rankings since Maria Shusharina on April 28, 2021.
No. 11 Ohio State (13-2, 7-1 B1G) enters this weekend riding a five-match win streak, having won ten of their previous 11 matches. Four of the last five wins have come against ranked opponents in Michigan State, Maryland, USC and UCLA. This week, the ITA has ranked five Buckeyes in singles competition: Luciana Perry at No. 9, Teah Chavez at No. 37, Sydni Ratliff at No. 85, Audrey Spencer at No. 102 and Shelly Bereznyak at No. 119. Perry and Chavez rank in doubles play as well, at No. 10 nationally.
Historically, the 'Cats have had the Buckeyes' number, boasting a 42-14 record against their conference rivals. However, Ohio State will be seeking their fifth straight victory over the Wildcats this weekend after winning each of the most recent four meetings. The last contest between the two teams came in the semifinals of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, where Ohio State claimed a 4-1 victory.
Sunday's trip to Evanston will be the second stop for the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-5, 4-4 B1G), who will battle Illinois on Saturday before facing the 'Cats. Penn State has struggled in conference play recently, as they've dropped four of their last six matches after defeating Indiana and No. 65 Purdue to start Big Ten dual play.
Northwestern is undefeated against the Nittany Lions, owning a 35-0 all-time record over Penn State. The last victory for the 'Cats came on April 21 of last season, when they downed their opponents 4-2 in the regular-season finale. Britany Lau went a perfect 2-0 on the day and secured match point with a win at No. 6 singles.
Following the weekend slate, the 'Cats will wrap up their home schedule by welcoming Illinois on April 12 on Senior Day - their sole match next weekend. Senior Day festivities will precede the match, which is scheduled to begin at noon CT.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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