Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Host Michigan State to Close Regular Season
4/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 19, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a split of their last Big Ten road weekend, the 'Cats (8-13, 3-6) are set to host Michigan State in their regular-season finale at noon Sunday. The match marks the last home dual for seniors Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium LobrÜgge), Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College) and Matt Christian (Troy, Mich./Brother Rice). Tempke will be presented with the inaugural Arlie Weiss Memorial Sportsmanship Award.
"Senior Day is always special and this one is especially so with three seniors," head coach Paul Torricelli said. "Tempke, Lock and Christian will be playing their last home matches and they have been such an important part of our program over the past four years. They have provided many great memories for us."
"The Spartans are always dangerous and Nick Rinks is one of the top players in the region," Torricelli said. "They upset Penn State last week, so I expect them to arrive with a lot of confidence and energy."
"As always, we have to get off to a good start in order to win," Torricelli said. "We've been very up and down in doubles lately, but we'll be ready on Sunday. I expect our guys to be at their best for our home finale"
Last Time Out
Northwestern split its weekend road contests at Minnesota and Iowa, falling 6-1 to the Gophers on Friday before downing Iowa 5-2 on Sunday. Lock captured a straight-set win at No. 2 singles, but the Wildcats fell to the 36th-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers, 6-1.
Minnesota captured the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 to take an early 1-0 lead. Each match was decided by three games or less. Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) and Marc Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga./Univ. of Nebraska-Independent Study H.S.), playing at No. 1 for the first time this season, fell to Nich Edlefsen and Sion Wilkins, 9-7. The Wildcats took a break early, but the Gopher duo broke back to tie the match 7-7. Minnesota captured the next two games to take the match.
On Sunday, Northwestern took the doubles point and won 4-of-6 singles matches en route to a 5-2 win over Iowa. The 'Cats got on the board first by capturing the doubles point. Christian and Lock topped Gregory Holm and Walker Grimes at No. 2 doubles, 8-4.
Tempke and junior Juan Gomez (Mexico City, Mexico) defeated Christian Bierich and Reinoud Haal, 8-6.
Northwestern Will Present First Ever Arlie Weiss Memorial Sportsmanship Award
Tempke will be the first recipient of the award, which is in honor of Arlie Weiss, mother of Danny and Robbie Weiss, who were both accomplished college tennis players.
"The award will be presented annually to the Northwestern men's tennis player who consistently displays outstanding sportsmanship and represents the University in a first class manner," Torricelli said.
"Mrs. Weiss was a devoted mother of two outstanding players and an avid tennis fan. Sportsmanship was of great importance to her and she valued that above any of their accomplishments."
Mrs. Weiss' sons, Danny and Robbie, were the among the greatest tennis players to ever come out of Illinois. Danny was a three-time All-Big Ten selection (1982, 83, 85) for Northwestern and was the IHSA Boy's Singles Champion in 1980 and 81. Robbie was an All-American at Pepperdine and was the 1988 NCAA Singles champion. He won the IHSA singles title in 1982.
