The Virginia men's and women's tennis teams will take the court again this weekend for non-conference matches.
The men's tennis team (1-0) will travel to Champaign, Ill. today to face No. 8 Illinois. The Fighting Illini (1-0) will pick up the rackets coming off last week's 7-0 win against Ball State. If past numbers are any indication, the Cavaliers will have their work cut out for them -- Illinois has a 150-28 (.842) home-court record, and the Illini will look to extend their 15 home-match winning stretch that dates back to spring 2006.
Illinois, a 2007 NCAA finalist, once again is comprised of a skillful squad. The Cavaliers should especially look out for Illinois' senior leaders Ryan Rowe and Ruben Gonzales. Rowe (11-6) is currently ranked No. 15, and Gonzales returns to play after sitting out the fall season playing in professional tournaments to polish his skills.
Also of notable mention for the Illini is No. 7 Billy Heiser. The sophomore is 8-6 and recently earned the season's first Big Ten Player of the Week honor for the second week of January.
In the last Virginia-Illinois face-off, Virginia entered the match with a No. 1 ranking, but went on to be upset by the Illini 5-2.
Even with Illinois' considerable home court advantage, if the same dominating Cavaliers from last Sunday's win show up for Friday's meet -- seniors Somdev Devvarman, Treat Huey and Ted Angelinos, junior Dominic Inglot and sophomore Houston Barrick, who together manhandled William & Mary -- Virginia stands a good chance of extending its winning streak.
The women's tennis team will take on Marshall and Richmond this Saturday in a one-day doubleheader at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar's Head Sports Club.
The women's tennis team opened the season confidently with last weekend's tournament, tallying wins from doubles teams of senior Lindsey Pereira and junior Lara Alexander as well as sophomore Jennifer Stevens and junior Hampton Williams. In singles, the team collected wins from Stevens, juniors Amanda Rales, Maggie Yahner, Cathy Nimitz, Alexander and Williams.
Saturday morning the team will match up against No. 19 Marshall. The Herd is returning from last week's victories against West Virginia and Morehead State, where they went a perfect 7-0 in singles and doubles play. Noteworthy players for Marshall include juniors Kellie Schmitt and Karolina Soor. Schmitt won three matches at the No. 1 position last weekend to gain her fifth career Conference USA Player of the Week award. The duo of her and partner Soor has garnered three wins so far this season. The undefeated doubles unit of Schmitt and Soor is currently ranked No. 15.
Later in the afternoon, Virginia faces the University of Richmond. The Spiders are returning to the courts for the first time since this fall's ITA Regional Championships hosted by Old Dominion, where junior Pamela Duran and junior Ashlee Vosters earned individual singles wins and teamed up to win two doubles matches.
Virginia enters both matches lacking depth with an undersized roster. A short-staffed status does not necessarily mean trouble for Virginia, however. Spending more time on the court could be used to the Cavaliers' advantage, giving each player more experience.
Saturday's doubleheader will mark the official kickoff of the Cavaliers' dual match season.
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