Yale visits Eck Center for weekend competition
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
The women's tennis team hopes to improve upon its No. 18 national ranking, but standing in its way is the competitive Yale Bulldog team, as the two teams clash Saturday at the Eck Center.
The Irish have been impressive thus far, compiling a 2-1 mark on a recent trip to Hawaii, knocking off Hawaii and No. 23 Washington. The only blemish on the current campaign's slate came in a close defeat to fourth-ranked Duke.
"I though we played pretty well in Hawaii," said Irish head coach Jay Louderback. "In particular, I thought we played very well in some tight matches against Washington. They're a real good team and that was a big win for us."
As always, the Irish will be led by junior All-American Michelle Dasso. Clearly the squad's top player, Dasso will be called upon to play both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles where she will be paired with sophomore Becky Varnum.
Dasso will be looking to better her No. 1 singles record, as she has won only one of her three singles matches thus far.
"She's coming off a shoulder injury," noted Louderback. "She missed most of the fall schedule and she's just starting to get back into shape. The more she plays the better she'll be."
Both Varnum and senior captain Kelly Zalinski will be relied upon heavily in singles play. Varnum has grabbed the No. 2 singles slot, while Zalinski will play from the No. 3 position.
The Irish also boast two nationally-ranked doubles pairings that, coupled with a strong singles arsenal, make the squad a versatile one. The pairing of Dasso-Varnum is ranked 10th, while the pairing consisting of junior Kimberly Guy and freshman Katie Cunha is ranked 15th.
"I think doubles is our key," said Louderback. "It's really our strength."
For Dasso-Varnum and Cunha-Guy, this meet will be a final tune-up for the Rolex National Intercollegiate Indoors Championships Feb. 3-6. Notre Dame is one of three schools to qualify two doubles pairs for the 16-team field.
The Bulldogs will look to provide the Irish with a stern test. Coached by Meghan McMahon, Yale will be looking to come away with a victory in its season opener. The Bulldogs are captained by their No. 1 player, All-Ivy selection, Sara Naison-Phillips. Somer Khanlarian will play from the No. 2 singles position, and will combine along with Naison-Phillips to serve as Yale's top doubles pairing.
"They're a very young team," noted the Irish coach. "We didn't see them at all during the fall, so we honestly don't know a whole lot about them."
The Irish will certainly become acquainted with the Bulldogs in a hurry. This match could tell a lot about Notre Dame's chances to secure a fourth Big East tennis crown.
All Sports Stories for Friday, January 28, 2000
