Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Continues Nonconference Action with Western Michigan
2/2/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 2, 2012
Western Michigan (4-2) at No. 65 Northwestern (4-0)
Saturday, February 4
Combe Tennis Center
Evanston, Ill. • 11 a.m.
Live Stats
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Off to its second consecutive 4-0 start under head coach Arvid Swan, Northwestern looks continue its winning ways on Sunday when the defending Mid American Conference champion, Western Michigan, visits Evanston.
The Wildcats are coming off a stellar 6-1 victory against William & Mary after returning home from knocking off the 51st-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, 4-3, in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
One key to Northwestern's success this year lies with the performances of senior Josh Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) and freshman Nikhil Jayashankar (Saratoga, Calif./Saratoga), both of whom have settled in nicely in the singles lineup. Graves is 3-0 on the No. 2 line this season, including a match-clinching victory against Alabama's Ricky Doverspike on January 20. Jayashankar comes into the weekend undefeated in his freshman campaign, holding down the No. 6 spot and providing some much-needed depth across the board.
On the doubles side of the court, the experienced duo of Graves and Spencer Wolf (Coral Springs, Fla./Laurel Springs) have consistently given Northwestern a boost, going 4-0 as the No. 1 pair. Sidarth Balaji (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) and Tobias Reitz (Reinbeck, Germany) have teamed up to form a solid No. 3 twosome, going 3-0 and clinching the doubles point twice for NU.
Northwestern is undefeated in its last three meetings with WMU, and currently holds a 47-5 all-time advantage against the Broncos. As reigning MAC champions, Western Michigan comes into the weekend 4-2 on the year, having downed IPFW, 6-1, and UW-Green Bay, 5-2, during a double-header at home.
Sophomore Nadin Indre and junior Simon Blomberg lead the Broncos in the singles portion. Indre is 3-2 at the No. 1 spot and Blomberg is 4-2 overall, including a perfect 2-0 at No. 2.
In the middle of a three-match homestand, the Wildcats look to host Notre Dame at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening for High School Night. Admission is free and free pizza will be served to all in attendance.
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