Northwestern women's tennis will play its first home Big Ten matches this weekend against Indiana and Purdue. The Wildcats, currently 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference, recently lost to Illinois, despite notable victories in doubles and singles. Sophomore Erica Jessel and first-year Margot Phanthala now hold the No. 27 spot in national rankings, marking the highest ranking for a Northwestern doubles team since September 2023. The Wildcats are looking to extend their impressive winning streak against Indiana and Purdue.

By the Numbers
  • Northwestern has won 35 consecutive matches against Indiana since 1998.
  • The Wildcats lead the all-time series against Purdue with a 48-1 record.
State of Play
  • Northwestern's Phanthala is currently ranked No. 87 in singles, making her the highest-ranked first-year in the Big Ten.
  • Jessel and Phanthala boast a doubles record of 6-1 together, with four consecutive wins.
What's Next

Following this weekend's matches, Northwestern will face No. 21 Washington and No. 64 Oregon on the road next weekend, both crucial matchups that can impact their rankings and season momentum.

Bottom Line

The Wildcats need to capitalize on their home advantage against Indiana and Purdue to regain momentum and strengthen their Big Ten standing, while also maintaining their impressive historical performance against these rivals.