Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Welcome Pair of Conference Foes
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 23, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's 62nd-ranked men's tennis team resumes conference play this weekend by hosting No. 45 Michigan and No. 75 Michigan State at the Combe Tennis Center. The 'Cats host the Wolverines at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 and the Spartans at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
Northwestern enters the match at 5-6, 0-1 in the Big Ten, after dropping a close decision at Wisconsin in its conference opener last weekend, 4-3. Northwestern took the doubles point and wins at No. 2 and No. 6 singles, but were edged by the Badgers in the end.
The 'Cats are led by junior Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohbrügge), who has seen a majority of the action at No. 1 singles. Tempke, who is ranked No. 69 in the most recent ITA FILA rankings, has compiled a 6-4 dual record at the No. 1 spot this season and a 13-8 overall singles record.
Junior Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College) also has provided the Wildcats with some stellar play, compiling an 8-3 dual record this season while competing primarily at the No. 2 singles position.
In doubles, Northwestern's team of senior captain Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine) and Matt Christian (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice) has earned a No. 30 ranking. The duo has gone 5-5 at the No. 1 doubles spot this spring and is 7-6 overall this season.
"This is a critical weekend for us and all the guys are really excited," head coach Paul Torricelli said. "We have to prove we can bounce back after the loss at Madison. Both matches should be battles."
Michigan enters this weekend with a 5-2 record after splitting a pair of matches last weekend. The Wolverines suffered a home loss Friday to No. 11 Louisiana State 5-2 before defeating Alabama on the road, 6-1.
Michigan sophomore Matko Maravic is slated at No. 95 in the most recent ITA FILA rankings, while the Wolverine doubles team of Maravic and Brian Hung is ranked No. 9.
The Spartans enter the weekend at 4-6 overall. Michigan State dropped a 6-1 decision to Western Michigan in East Lansing, Mich., its last time out.
MSU is led by sophomore Nick Rinks, who is 6-2 at the No. 1 singles spot this spring, 19-5 overall.
In doubles, the Spartans' team of Rinks and Adam Monich is ranked 41st in the country and has compiled a 15-5 overall record, 7-2 at No. 1 doubles.
After this weekend, the Wildcats return to action at Arizona State on Monday, March 6.
