The Youngstown State men's tennis team heads to Chicago for a pair of matches to start the 2026 dual season this weekend. YSU is at UIC on Saturday and takes on Northwestern on Sunday night.

Saturday's contest against the Flames is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m. Central time at the XS Tennis Village. Sunday's match at Northwestern gets underway at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central.

The Penguins registered a 14-10 overall record in 2025 while the Flames were 16-6, including a 10-2 home record. Northwestern was 12-17 a year ago with 10 victories coming at home. NU opens the season on Saturday against Vanderbilt and also hosts Louisville on Sunday.

In the fall, Oscar Gippet and Dominik Vonbank led the way with 10 wins each while Mihai Haita won eight contests. In doubles, Cerardelli and Vonbank teamed up for a team-leading five wins.

YSU and UIC are both long-time foes when the Flames were members of the Horizon League. Last year, UIC beat YSU in Youngstown. YSU won 4-3 in the last contest played in Chicago on April 2. The Guins beat the Flames three times that month claiming the Horizon League regular-season and postseason titles.

The Guins dropped a 4-0 decision to the Wildcats last March 29 in the lone meeting between the two programs.

YSU plays its first dual matches at home next week hosting Le Moyne on Friday and Dayton on Sunday.