UIS athletics teams are back and stronger than ever this season, despite ongoing COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

Women’s Basketball

The UIS women’s basketball team is in its best season ever as a Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) member. At 9-9, the Prairie Stars have set the program record for most wins in their conference, scoring fourth in the East Division. UIS is just a game short of an Indianapolis team but looks to change that by the end of the season. Junior Lauren Ladowski leads the Prairie Stars in scoring and certainly knows how to get to the line, as she set the school record for career free throws. Ladowski also stays solid on the defensive side of the ball, committing larceny with nearly three steals a game. Defending the basket with her is sophomore Makenna Fee, who totals 17 blocks on the season.

UIS women’s basketball will finish up their season at home on February 27 against Missouri S&T and is scheduled to begin the GLVC Conference Tournament on March 3.

Men’s Basketball

UIS men’s basketball currently sits at 7-11, as senior Keymonta Johnson and sophomore Chase Robinson lead the Prairie Stars into the final games of the season. Both players lead the team in points this season. Johnson and Freshman Jack Weber have been ballhawks, each racking up over 20 blocks on defense.

The Prairie Stars have gotten the short end of the stick this season, losing two games by just a point and one game in overtime against Truman State. Like the women’s team, the guys will try their luck in the GLVC Tournament on March 3.

Volleyball

UIS women’s volleyball team is just kicking off. Junior Kenzie Hendon currently leads the team with kills this season. Senior Brianna Bush’s hitting percentage is the team’s best, and sophomore Regan Trueblood is the team leader in assists. The Prairie Stars are off to a slow start at just 1-3 but have plenty of time to change that by April 16, the GLVC Conference Tournament.

Men’s Tennis

UIS men’s tennis utterly dominated Milikin in their first matchup of the season. Sophomore Nick Revin debuted in blue and gold with sophomore Matthew Lapsley in a doubles match, winning 8-0. Savvy work from Menno Servaes, Tomas Martinez, Rafa Rojas, and Alex Chan would contribute to a prospective 9-0 victory. UIS will face Purdue Northwest next on February 27.

Women’s Tennis

Look out for UIS tennis this year. The Prairie Stars dropped just one game in singles play against Millikin. Carol Quevedo, Sina Skjelstad, and Frances Buces all won matches 6-0. Neha Mokhasi lost just a single game in the first set, but sought retribution winning the rest. UIS will face off against Purdue Northwest on February 27.

Track and Field

UIS track and field has been impressive, on both the men’s and the women’s side. Top markers on the men’s side include sophomore Jacob Landon, running the 800M in 1:58.48, junior Cayden Kirkham running the mile at 4:36.16, and sophomore Blake Jones. The latter is leading the team in both the 3000M and 5000M, at 8.08.56 and 14:02.84, respectively. On February 6, Jones placed fifth among NCAA Division II racers while finishing ahead of 13 Division I participants.

Senior Gloria Esarco has been the talk of the town, leading all major categories on the women’s side. Esarco made a NCAA provisional mark at the Grand Valley State Big Meet on February 12.

Baseball and Softball

Men’s baseball and women’s softball will be underway in a couple of weeks. Men’s baseball was picked second in the division in the preseason poll, with eight of nine starters returning from last year’s team. Softball is ranked fourth in the preseason poll. Both teams will likely begin conference play within the first week of March.

Soccer

Men’s and women’s soccer will officially begin their seasons on February 26 against Lindenwood University. Men’s soccer finished off last season with a program record of 9-8-2, while the women’s soccer team also set a program record with 7 GLVC victories.

At this time no spectators are allowed at UIS athletic events, and athletes must undergo COVID-19 tests at least twice weekly.

For more in depth content, please visit UIS Athletics.