Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Head to Minnesota
1/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 22, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--Fresh off a 2-0 start to the dual season, Northwestern's men's tennis team looks to continue its winning trend in Minneapolis this weekend against No. 43 Virginia at 2 p.m. Saturday and against No. 15 Minnesota at noon Sunday in a three-team tournament.
"These are two very tough teams we are playing this weekend," said head coach Paul Torricelli. "This will be a major early season test for us."
NU, ranked 58th by ITA, gave up only one point in its first two matches, knocking down Weber State 7-0 and Utah 6-1 last week in Salt Lake City, Utah.
As usual, the 'Cats will rely on leadership from upperclassmen Chuck Perrin (Atlanta, Ga./The Walker School) and Tommy Hanus (Palatine, Ill./Palatine). Against Utah, Perrin won his match at No. 1-6-7, 7-6, 7-5-to improve to 12-4, and Hanus earned a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 to improve to 7-4.
Both juniors will have their hands full this weekend against the Cavaliers (0-0). No. 25 Doug Stewart and No. 62 Stephen Rozek pose the biggest threat for the Wildcats. Stewart, for example, was the 2003 Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and won the ACC Indoor singles title earlier this month.
The Gophers (0-0), meanwhile, are coming off a 2003 campaign where they finished No. 10 in the nation, their highest ranking in school history. The team features No. 85 Chris Wettengel, the 2003 Big Ten singles champion, and the No. 50 doubles pair of Clay Estes and Avery Ticer.
"I expect a big challenge from Minnesota," said Torricelli. "They are a top-20 team and a perennial power. The Big Ten opener for us will be a real test for a young team."
Minnesota and Virginia open up the weekend's events at 6:30 p.m. Friday. All matches will be played at the Baseline Tennis Center.
