Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Resume Conference Play at Home This Weekend
3/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
March 31, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--With the nonconference portion of the 2004 schedule out of the way, Northwestern's 36th-ranked men's tennis team can set its focus on Big Ten Conference action once again when it takes on Purdue at noon on April 3 and top-ranked Illinois at noon on April 4.
Both matches are tentatively scheduled to be held at Combe Indoor Tennis Center, unless there is a drastic improvement in the forecast. The Wildcats have not yet played outside at home this year.
NU begins April with an 11-4 record, including 2-1 in the conference. A year ago at this time, the team was 8-7, 1-3 Big Ten.
"We are a stronger team than in 2002-03," said head coach Paul Torricelli. "Our depth and talent, I hope, will carry us for the remainder of the season as it has up until this point."
Last week, the 'Cats shut out Coastal Carolina 7-0. Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College), Matt Christian (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice) and Ahmed Wahla (Lahore, Pakistan/Lahore American School) all were undefeated in both singles and doubles.
The Boilermakers (6-7, 1-1) are a somewhat familiar foe, as NU met them in the Boilermaker Invitational back in October. Paul Rose leads the squad with his 20 wins and 8-4 dual record in singles. He and Troy Havens have notched a 10-6 record at No. 1 doubles, although both are likely to play with other partners this Saturday.
"We are familiar with their team and look forward to facing them again," said Torricelli, whose squad is 56-17-2 all-time against Purdue. "Their record does not indicate how they good they are."
The defending national champion Fighting Illini (16-0, 2-0) currently hold the nation's longest winning streak at 48 matches. They last defeated No. 9 Florida 6-1, which snapped the Gators' 23-match home winning streak.
Illinois boasts several ranked players in its lineup, such as No. 3 Brian Wilson (7-4) and 24th-ranked Phil Stolt (11-8), both of whom combine as the No. 2 doubles team (10-2) in the nation.
"I think Illinois' accomplishments will be a huge motivator for us," said Torricelli. "The match will obviously be a huge challenge, as they have set the bar very high within the conference and nationally.
"They have proven themselves home and away."
The Fighting Illini will face Wisconsin prior to meeting NU.
