Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats to Clash With Badgers
2/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 25, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--After a long, eight-match home stand, Northwestern's 40th-ranked men's tennis team (8-4, 0-1 Big Ten) hits the road for its next matches, with the first being a noon, conference dual on Saturday against Wisconsin (3-3, 0-0) in Madison, Wis.
Over the last month, the 'Cats have compiled a 6-2 record, capped off with a rout of DePaul and a loss to then-No. 50 Notre Dame. Part of the reason for NU's success at home is due to the play of Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Oconomowoc), who, according to head coach Paul Torricelli, is an anchor for the team.
"Adam has been solid throughout the dual season in both singles and doubles," said Torricelli. "He is a very reliable player."
The sophomore, who will be playing in front of friends and family in his native state, is on a streak in both singles and doubles, winning his last two in the former and his last three in the latter. Schaechterle currently carries a 4-3 dual record, including the only win against the Fighting Irish last Saturday.
The Badgers defeated Indiana State 6-1 last weekend to even up their record. The then-eighth-ranked doubles team of Alex Kasarov and David Hippee led the way for Wisconsin, defeating the Sycamores' Ivan D'Argence Arceo and Aaron Phillips 8-3 at No. 1 doubles.
The pair has since fallen to No. 40 in the most recent rankings. Kasarov also is the Badgers' top singles player and boasts a 4-2 record for the season.
"Wisconsin is a huge match for us," said Torricelli. "We need to beat them to get on a winning track in the conference. It is the only match for us this week, so there is no reason for us not to focus."
Following this weekend, the Wildcats head to Bloomington, Ind., for a match March 5 against Indiana. Then after a three-week break, NU will face Coastal Carolina on March 27 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
