It's beginning to look a lot like last season, when the Virginia men's tennis team won its second ACC Championship. Currently ranked No. 8, the Cavaliers remain the only team in the ACC to be undefeated in-conference after yesterday's victory over Maryland. This afternoon, the team will face No. 14 University of Miami in its attempt to extend a ten-match winning streak.
Virginia faced the Hurricanes twice last season, including during the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament, and both matches resulted in Cavalier wins.
However, the team knows not to underestimate any opponent.
"Miami's a really good team, they've had an excellent year so far and they're much improved from last year," assistant coach Tony Bresky said. "We're excited to come out, and we'll be ready for Miami."
Virginia's winning streak can be attributed in part to the team's improvement in doubles play, as they have won the past 11 doubles points.
"Doubles has always been a big focus of ours," Bresky said. "We feel like if we can scrap up the doubles point somehow that we're going to be a really tough team to beat. It has been a real momentum boost for us in the last few matches."
Sophomore Somdev Devvarman agreed with Bresky on how the doubles point continues to be a victory clincher for Virginia.
"[The doubles point] is definitely something we're always going to focus on, and I think we should," Devvarman said. "When we win the doubles point, we rarely lose. We're always so confident about playing any ACC matches that, if we win the doubles point, I don't think too many teams think that they can beat us."
Today's match also marks the beginning of an extremely tough portion of the season. From here on out, all of Virginia's opponents are ranked in the top 25. After No. 14 Miami, the Cavaliers will tackle No. 23 Florida State, No. 9 North Carolina and No. 6 Duke.
"This is a big time for our program and our team to close out the year," senior Rylan Rizza said. "I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be fun."
Virginia's victory over the Terrapins also signifies the 24th consecutive ACC win, and if the Cavaliers can weather the Hurricanes, there's no reason the winning streak should end.
"We're looking pretty solid now," Devvarman said. "I'd put money on us not losing another match, but that's just me."
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