By Shrayes Ramesh Cavalier Daily Associate Editor
Spring weather signals many things -- warmer air, wet weather and the heart of the ACC season. As conference play hits its stride, the men's and women's tennis teams have drifted in different directions. While the members of the No. 3 men's team have surged through the first portion of the ACC slate, their female counterparts have struggled.
The men are having arguably their best season ever, posting a 16-2 record (4-0 ACC) and rising as high as No. 2 in the rankings after reaching the finals of the USTA National Indoors Tournament. Both of their only two losses came at the hands of No. 1 Baylor, once on a neutral court and once in Waco, Texas.
In ACC play, the Cavaliers have rolled through their opposition. In singles, the men are 21-3, while starters from the No. 3 spot to the No. 6 spot are undefeated. In doubles, the men have lost only one match in the conference. Junior Darrin Cohen, freshman Somdev Devvarman and freshman Treat Huey have combined to earn 23 consecutive singles wins.
"Those three have had a consistent and steady work ethic since the fall," Virginia coach Brian Boland said. "Now, they're starting to reap the benefits. They're like our rock -- they've been so solid for us, day in and day out."
Especially important have been the way the two freshmen have stepped up their consistency.
"If you look at Somdev and Treat, as only first years, they've come in and been great for us," Boland said.
The Cavalier men face William & Mary today before taking on Miami Saturday at Snyder Tennis Center. Despite his team's success, Boland stressed the importance of peaking at the right moment.
"Well, I think we need to start to play better as we get closer to the ACC championships, and the NCAAs," Boland said. "The best tennis we want to play should be at the last game of the season. We're getting a bit better as a team, hitting the ball better, but we want to continue to improve."
While the men have set the bar high for themselves this year after a strong start to the season, the women have struggled with injuries. Freshman Diana Srebovic, who had gone 8-0 in the No. 1 spot, left the team for personal reasons.
Those adversities likely contributed to the No. 69 Cavaliers 2-6 record in their last eight dual matches. Until their 5-2 victory over Virginia Tech Tuesday, the women were 0-2 in ACC play. Against the Hokies, new No. 1 Kristen James, Douglas Wink and Marta Bechliwanis pulled out match wins in three sets.
Bechliwanis remained optimistic that the win against Virginia Tech could lead to a resurgence in momentum and put the last several weeks behind them.
"Practice, visualize, stay confident and be positive," Marta Bechliwanis said.
There's little coach Phil Rogers said he plans to do differently this weekend against ACC foes Georgia Tech and Clemson at home.
"Well, we don't do anything special," Rogers said. "We have faced several top-10 teams. And we have competed very, very hard, but we have had some injuries. I guarantee we will fight hard this weekend. I won't be surprised if we win a match because of our hard work."
While the mood of the men's and women's teams might be as different as night and day, both teams will stress the positives in this weekend's matches.
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