The UIS women's tennis team begins the 2026 calendar year Saturday with a home exhibition against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, which will compete under the SIUE 66ers name as part of the Route 66 Centennial. The match is set for 11:00 a.m. at the Springfield Racquet and Fitness Center.

Saturday's contest marks the first competition of the new year for the Prairie Stars and serves as a tune-up ahead of the program's official spring season opener on Jan. 31. 

UIS enters the spring season with a blend of experience and emerging talent. The Prairie Stars are led by junior Niamh Grogan, graduate student Cristina Mendoza Romero, and sophomore Ema Norma Bordean, all of whom bring valuable match experience to the lineup. The trio anchors a roster that saw extensive action during the fall portion of the schedule.

Freshmen Jane Carter, Alisha Deogaonkar, and Maria Garcia Gama joined the program in the fall and gained early collegiate experience alongside the rest of the squad. UIS competed in two fall dual matches and participated in two tournament weekends, using the fall slate as preparation for the championship segment of the spring season.

Saturday's opponent will take the court under a special identity, as SIUE continues its use of the SIUE 66ers name during select competitions in 2026. The alternate branding is part of the Route 66 Centennial celebration, and the UIS match was chosen in recognition of Springfield's historic connection to Route 66. SIUE basketball debuted the temporary identity earlier this month during a home doubleheader against Southern Indiana.

First serve is set for 11:00 a.m. at the Springfield Racquet and Fitness Center as the Prairie Stars continue preparations for the 2026 spring championship season.