IU is hitting its stride.
After defeating Murray State and No. 44 Oregon at home, the then-No.49 Hoosiers proved they could beat a team ranked higher in the ITA poll. After already playing Murray State, the Hoosiers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Oregon stormed back 3-2, but the Hoosiers, led by junior Daniel Bednarczyk, sealed the victory.
“That point right there was the team coming together,” Bednarczyk said. “All the early mornings you put on the court. It pays off.”
The No. 44 Hoosiers will travel to No. 6 Illinois (8-2) for a match at 5 p.m. Sunday. Though Oregon posed a significant challenge, Illinois boasts an impressive record and has only lost once at home this year in five matches. The Illini are coming off a 4-2 victory against Ohio State as host of the National Indoor Championships in Chicago.
“They are going to be extremely tough,” IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman said. “When you play the best teams in the country, you are going to expect their best in every match.”
Illinois is an athletic team with nationally ranked players. Wurtzman said he is using the extra time to prepare his team in practice for their toughest matchup of the year.
“I think we have worked really hard in fitness since we have had a bit of time,” Wurtzman said. “Overall, we have tried to work on how to strategize in points and develop a good mindset for how we want to play each point in singles and doubles.”
Though Illinois is ranked more highly, IU may have an advantage Sunday because it hasn't played since Feb. 6. The Illini will play a home match against Northwestern on Friday while the Hoosiers rest for Sunday’s match.
“It was our first time to have a really big training block since we started, and in that beginning period it was more about getting to know guys,” Wurtzman said. “I don’t think it will make too much of a difference if they haven’t had the rest.”
The Hoosiers embrace the step up in competition.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us,” Wurtzman said. “But I’m looking forward to putting our guys out there against the best in the country.”
