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.
As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
UIS men's basketball returns to TRAC this week for a pair of conference games, first hosting Rockhurst on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., followed by Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Both contests are part of doubleheaders with the UIS women's team and coincide with a full slate of fan-focused events, including Spring Welcome activities for UIS students and the Cardinals Caravan on Saturday.
Illinois Springfield (10-5, 6-1 GLVC)
UIS women's basketball returns home to TRAC this week for a pair of key GLVC matchups, hosting Rockhurst on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
All three teams enter the week 2-5 in GLVC play, making these head-to-head matchups critical in the conference standings. The games highlight a busy and exciting week at TRAC, which also includes Chamber on Tap, Cardinals Caravan, UIS Spring Welcome, and more!
Illinois Springfield (5-10, 2-5 GLVC)
As part of UIS Athletics' 15 Years of NCAA Division II Membership celebration, the department is highlighting 15 standout teams and 15 standout student-athletes who have shaped the program's Division II era. Each week, UIS features one team and one player, honoring the accomplishments, championship moments, and legacy-building performances that have defined Prairie Stars Athletics.
UIS Athletics invites the Prairie Stars community to a reception welcoming Laura Ulrich, who recently completed her first season as head volleyball coach during the Fall 2025 campaign. Ulrich joined the Prairie Stars in late summer 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter for UIS Volleyball.
Indoor track and field opens its season on the road, women's tennis hosts its first home match of the Henrique Leal era, and a full slate of home basketball highlights the week ahead for UIS Athletics.
Thursday, Jan. 15
5:30 p.m. — Women's Basketball vs. Rockhurst (HOME)
Illinois Springfield men's basketball (10-5, 6-1 GLVC) suffered its first conference loss of the season in a 66-65 setback to Truman State (6-9, 3-4 GLVC) on Saturday at Pershing Arena, as the Bulldogs scored the game-winning basket with 2:16 remaining. Despite scoring 40 points off the bench and holding a late second-half lead, UIS was unable to convert in the closing minutes.
Illinois Springfield women's basketball (5-10, 2-5 GLVC) fell to Truman State (8-7, 5-2 GLVC), 64-53, at Pershing Arena on Saturday afternoon despite forcing 12 steals. Truman State capitalized with 23 points off turnovers and maintained a scoring advantage in the paint.
Illinois Springfield men's basketball (10-4, 6-0 GLVC) defeated Quincy (7-7, 2-4 GLVC) 91-60 on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena, pulling away in the second half by outscoring the Hawks 49-30. With the win, the Prairie Stars claimed the BOS Traveling Cup, bringing it back to Springfield.
The victory also marked the first time in program history that UIS has opened GLVC play 6-0, as the Prairie Stars remain tied with Upper Iowa atop the conference standings.