Northwestern University Athletics
Waves, Huskies Come to Town
1/28/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Jan. 28, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--After four-straight road games, Northwestern's 58th-ranked men's tennis team (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) returns to Combe Tennis Center, where it will face No. 25 Pepperdine at 6 p.m. Friday and No. 73 Northern Illinois at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Last weekend, the Wildcats fell 5-2 to both No. 43 Virginia and No. 15 Minnesota in Minneapolis. In each match, NU was able to take the doubles point, due in part to the play of Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohbr?gge) and Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine); they won both of their matches at No. 3.
Tempke, a freshman, has excelled in singles, too, winning the only singles point for Northwestern against Virginia. His record thus far stands at 8-4 overall, 2-1 in duals.
"We thought from the very beginning that Christian was going to play at a high level," said head coach Paul Torricelli. "He has helped in our success this season."
The Waves (2-0) are led by senior Calle Hansen and sophomore Pedro Rico. The former is ranked 29th, while the latter is tied for 31st, and together they form the seventh-ranked doubles team.
Pepperdine, which holds a 5-0 lead in the all-time series between the teams, is coached by Adam Steinberg, who was an assistant coach under Torricelli from 1995-97.
The Huskies (1-1), who in the past have been NU's first opponent of the season, are in the midst of a three-game road trip, losing to Wisconsin but beating Iowa. Northwestern will be the last Big Ten opponent for NIU.
Juan Pablo Barriga will likely get the start at No. 1 for Northern Illinois. The senior carries a 7-4 record, and also plays No. 1 doubles along with junior Erick Martinez.
"Pepperdine is a very strong team with a terrific Nos. 1 and 2 combo," said Torricelli. "Northern Illinois also is a dangerous team, as they beat Iowa and almost beat Wisconsin. We have to be on guard against both teams this weekend."
