After a 12-day layoff, the Irish will face two opponents at home this weekend. Notre Dame (2-2) will face Virginia Tech today and Boston College Sunday. Both the Hokies and the Eagles are undefeated.

The No. 21 Irish have had over a week to assess their previous two matches, each of which resulted in a loss to a top-20 team.

The losses to rivals North Carolina and Northwestern were naturally\ disappointing for Notre Dame, but the team is young and seems to have much potential.

Thanks to a strong lineup that secured the doubles point, the Irish nearly upset the Tar Heels Feb. 1. In the end, the Irish, having lost 7-0 two days earlier to the Wildcats, were defeated 5-2. While the Hokies have not yet lost this spring in nine matches, they have yet to play either a match on the road or a ranked team. Friday will be a day of firsts for Virginia Tech in at least those two categories, and the Irish are hoping for a another season first for the Hokies — a loss.

The Irish have easily defeated the Hokies 7-0 each of the past two years, but Friday may not be so easy against a confident and successful Virginia Tech squad.

The season story for the Eagles is similar to that of the Hokies.

In their three matches this spring they have gone undefeated, but the contest with Notre Dame will be Boston College's first road test. Although Notre Dame has not lost to either in team in 10 combined meetings, this weekend may be a little more of a challenge than in years past for the Irish.

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