Illini Tennis Hosts No. 7 Mississippi State in Season Opener
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 24-ranked Fighting Illini kick off their 2026 dual season with a compelling matchup against No. 7 Mississippi State on Friday at 6 p.m. CT at the Atkins Tennis Center. This early-season clash promises an exciting battle as both teams look to set the tone for the year.
The 2026 Fighting Illini features a mix of experienced returners and promising newcomers. Headlining the roster, reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kenta Miyoshi returns for his senior season, bringing invaluable competitive experience. In addition, 2025 All-Big Ten Second Team honoree William Mroz makes his return after a fall spent recuperating from injury.
Excitingly, talented freshman Gabriel Debru is set to make his dual debut after significant recovery work during the fall season. This addition complements an impressive freshman class, including David Bakonyi, Sasha Colleu, Adam Jilly, and Hayden Jones, who are part of a group ranked as the second-best recruiting class by Tennis Recruiting Network.
Under the guidance of long-serving head coach Brad Dancer, who is beginning his 21st season with the program, the Illini are prepared to push themselves against a formidable opponent.
Last Time Out: Florida Hidden Duals
The Illini recently competed at the Florida Hidden Duals from January 9-10 at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. This competition marked the conclusion of an intensive training trip to the Sunshine State. The team faced off against athletes from Arizona, Clemson, Florida, and Michigan, gaining invaluable match experience.
Highlighting the duals, Jones, Mroz, and Zach Viiala each finished with a perfect 2-0 record in singles play, with Viiala notably recording a ranked victory against Clemson’s No. 93 Yannic Nittmann.
About Mississippi State
The Bulldogs come into this match with a No. 7 ranking in the ITA’s preseason poll and a confident 2-0 record following victories over SMU and Lamar. Mississippi State secured the doubles point in both matches, winning decisively 5-2 against the Mustangs and 6-1 against the Cardinals.
Notably, Mississippi State features five players in the latest ITA singles rankings, three of whom are in the top 50: Petar Jovanovic (No. 13), Bryan Hernandez Cortes (No. 34), and Mario Martinez Serrano (No. 37). Jovanovic’s prowess was on display last season as he earned ITA All-America honors by reaching the quarterfinals at the NCAA Singles Championship.
Ranked second in the preseason SEC coaches poll, Mississippi State had a strong showing last year, reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA Team Tournament, highlighted by a significant road upset over No. 5 Ohio State.
Series History
The Illini currently hold a 2-3 record against the Bulldogs in their all-time series dating back to 1967. Their last meeting occurred during the 2016 NCAA Tournament, where Mississippi State emerged victorious with a 4-0 win at Atkins Tennis Center. The Illini are eager to seize their first dual victory over the Bulldogs since the 1997-98 season.
Players in the ITA Rankings
Team Ranking:
- No. 7: Mississippi State
- No. 24: Illinois
Singles Rankings:
- No. 10: Kenta Miyoshi (Illinois)
- No. 13: Petar Jovanovic (Mississippi State)
- No. 34: Bryan Hernandez Cortes (Mississippi State)
- No. 37: Mario Martinez Serrano (Mississippi State)
- No. 54: Benito Sanchez Martinez (Mississippi State)
- No. 87: Adam Jilly (Illinois)
- No. 125: Raphael Vaksmann (Mississippi State)
Doubles Rankings:
- No. 2: Benito Sanchez Martinez/Petar Jovanovic (Mississippi State)
Mroz Named to Big Ten Players to Watch List
Recently, senior William Mroz was recognized on the Big Ten’s Men’s Tennis Players to Watch list, showcasing his potential as a key player for the Illini in the 2026 dual season. Mroz is one of 14 student-athletes named, entering his final year with a commendable track record from the 2024-25 season, where he achieved a 20-9 overall mark in singles.
Miyoshi Secures ITA Singles All-America Honors
Meanwhile, Kenta Miyoshi earned ITA Singles All-America honors for the second consecutive year. His remarkable performance included advancing to the third round of the NCAA Singles Championship, further solidifying his reputation in collegiate tennis during his senior campaign.
The spotlight will be on both teams as they prepare for this highly anticipated matchup, promising a thrilling start to the dual season. For more updates on collegiate tennis, visit Globally Pulse Sports.
