The No. 2 Virginia men's tennis team will look to break a two-game losing streak this weekend when they take on No. 21 N.C. State and No. 12 Wake Forest. Last weekend Virginia lost the third and fourth matches of a six-game road trip, falling to Baylor and Texas. The two losses mark the Cavaliers' first losing streak of the season.
The Cavaliers, however, aren't worried about having lost two in a row.
"It happens," junior Somdev Devvarman said. "It was our first outdoor match. We only had a couple of practices before we went outdoors, and we played two tough schools outside. So with the circumstances, I mean it's not fun to lose, but I'm sure we'll bounce back because we're all playing pretty well right now."
Virginia (14-3 1-0 ACC) will look to continue its undefeated record in ACC play against the Wolfpack (15-3 0-1 ACC) Friday. One key factor for the Cavaliers will be to win the doubles point, setting the tone for the match. In last weekend's competition, Virginia lost the doubles point twice en route to losing both matches. Doubles have been a strength for Virginia despite the losses to Baylor (12-2) and Texas (9-5), and the Cavaliers will need to play to their strengths to beat two ranked teams this weekend.
None of the doubles pairs played particularly well in the two losses, with each pair losing at least one match. The No. 3 team of Devvarman and junior Treat Huey, usually the anchor in the lineup, lost to the unranked Baylor team of sophomore David Galic and senior Matija Zgaga.
The Cavaliers should be able to take advantage of their depth against a thin N.C. State team that boasts only one ranked player. Virginia counters with No. 2 Devvarman, No. 15 Huey, and No. 80 redshirt freshman Dominic Inglot.
"We have 8 solid players -- 9, 10, 11 guys who are all great in practice," freshman Houston Barrick said. "So I think we're a really deep team."
The Wake Forest team that Virginia will play Sunday just defeated N.C. State Wednesday 5-2. The Demon Deacons (13-1 1-0 ACC) will be the last stop on the Cavaliers' road trip. The Cavaliers hope their experience will negate any home-court advantage Wake Forest might possess.
"We have a lot of older guys [in] Treat, Som[dev] and Marko." Barrick said. "They've kind of taught us all what it's like to play on the road, and we really haven't played in front of a big crowd, so I don't think it's a big disadvantage [to play on the road]."
The Demon Deacons boast a formidable lineup. Senior all-American Todd Paul is ranked 7th and is scheduled to play Devvarman on the No. 1 court.
"I think it's a good thing for me [being the No. 1]." Devvarman said. "It helps me focus and it helps me keep my energy up during matches. It's a good thing and I take it well most times."
The No. 25 duo of Paul and junior Mariusz Adamski will face off at No. 1 doubles against Huey and Devvarman and should give the Virginia team a good test.
The Cavaliers will need wins this weekend to put an end to its current skid, and they seem confident they will emerge victorious.
"I think we're a better team than N.C. State and Wake Forest." Devvarman said. "It's ACC time, so it's time to battle."
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