Northwestern University Athletics
NU Heads to Virginia for Pair of Weekend Duals
2/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 26, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (10-1) is set to start a month-long stretch of away matches, beginning this weekend with two Colonial Athletic Association foes in William & Mary (11-6, 2-0) Friday evening and Old Dominion (11-6, 2-0) Sunday morning. After dropping a close match to No. 25 Notre Dame last Thursday, the 'Cats bounced back and defeated Western Michigan and No. 48 Harvard over the weekend.
Northwestern's lineup has proven itself to be extremely deep this season as the 'Cats hold 10-1 records at four of six singles spots and two of three doubles positions. Freshman Joshua Graves (Milwaukee, Wisconsin/Nicolet) has not dropped a match since November and senior Marc Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga./University of Nebraska - Independent Study H.S.) is riding a five-match win streak at No. 1.
SCOUTING THE TRIBE
William & Mary is coming off a Sunday doubleheader in which it defeated James Madison but dropped a tight dual to No. 29 Boise State. The Tribe narrowly missed an upset over the Broncos in which they dropped the doubles point, but took the first set in four of six singles matches. Sophomore Sebastien Vidal and freshman Ilja Orre posted victories at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.
Play between the Wildcats and Tribe is set to begin at 5 p.m. Friday at the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center. The two teams have met once, with William & Mary coming out on top, 6-1, in their encounter last season.
SCOUTING THE MONARCHS
Old Dominion holds an 11-6 record entering the weekend after knocking off No. 33 VCU on Feb. 18. The Monarchs will host Winthrop Saturday before hosting the Wildcats Sunday at Folks-Stevens Tennis Center.
The doubles point figures to be hotly contested since both teams have dominated their doubles opponents this season. The 'Cats have lost doubles just once in 11 duals while the Monarchs have dropped it just three times in 17 duals. In singles, senior Alexandr Seleznev leads Old Dominion with an 8-3 record at No. 1. Sophomore Matt Fawcett will put his undefeated 11-0 streak on the line.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern swept No. 48 Harvard, 7-0, at Combe Tennis Center Sunday behind strong doubles play and victories from all six singles spots. Led by senior Marc Dwyer, who notched his second triumph over a ranked opponent in four days, the `Cats won eight of nine matches to improve to a 10-1 record in duals.
After narrowly losing to Notre Dame on Thursday night, the Wildcats played with a vengeance with their 5-2 victory over Western Michigan Saturday and Sunday's rout of Harvard. The Crimson fell to No. 19 Michigan Friday evening, but managed to take two points at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, a feat they were not able to accomplish against the `Cats.
