The IUPUI women's tennis team returns to the courts this week with a pair of matches at Big Ten Conference teams. The Jags travel to Champaign, Ill. to face the Fighting Illini at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday (Jan. 16) before a date with Purdue on Sunday (Jan. 17) at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Saturday's contest is a special one for IUPUI Head Coach Marisa Lambropoulos. She'll make a return to Illinois–her alma mater–for the second time as a coach. 

"It's definitely cool to go back and be there again," Lambropoulos said. "I coached against Illinois a couple years. They just have a great atmosphere and a great tennis community." 

Lambropoulos enters her first spring season at the helm of the women's team. Returning to Illinois in her first test, she revisits a place where she ranked second in doubles wins (87) and sixth in singles wins (85) in Illinois history. 

The IUPUI squad holds just one senior in Bobbi Modesto but the Jags look forward to added experience this spring with the addition of junior transfer Sara Sherif and the growth of junior Rachel Swartwood. 

"We started practice on Monday and I've been really impressed with all of the girls," Lambropoulos said. "They clearly worked hard. I think Rachel Swartwood will be really exciting this year. She was injured last year but she's healthy now and playing well."

Sophomores Valeriia Lavrenchuk, Samantha Mayer and Hayley Trinkle bring a year of experience as well. The Jags lineup is completed with three freshmen who saw significant action during the fall season.

The Jags step into the spring schedule with six straight road matches in the next three weeks before returning to Indianapolis in February for nine consecutive matches at the West Indy Racquet Club. They'll look to improve on last season's 7-13 record, starting with an Illinois team who went 14-10 last season.

"Illinois is very talented team," Lambropoulos said. "They're young too. It's their first match of the year too so both teams might come out with a bit of nerves, but we're excited." 

Saturday's (Jan. 16) match with the Illini will take place at Atkins Tennis Center at 1:00 p.m. ET. IUPUI and Purdue will begin Sunday (Jan. 17) at 3:00 p.m. ET. Results will be posted on IUPUIJags.com following the weekend events.