ND WOMEN'S TENNIS: Road doesn't get easier after victory
By COLIN BOYLAN
Sports Writer
As far as polls are concerned, the 69th-ranked Michigan Wolverines should have been no match for the 13th-ranked Notre Dame women's tennis team. But don't try to tell the Irish that.
"Michigan's very good," said head coach Jay Louderback. "By the end of the year, they'll probably be ranked about 20 or 30 spots higher than they are now."
That being said, the team's 5-2 victory over the Wolverines last Wednesday looks even more impressive than it might originally appear.
Aided by solid doubles play and clutch singles victories by Becky Varnum and Katie Cunha, the Irish were able to grind out a win against a quality opponent.
Things looked very good from the start, when the Irish nabbed the doubles point with three consecutive wins. Alicia Salas then gave the team some breathing room with a quick 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles.
But when Michigan closed the gap with two singles wins, things started to get tense.
Fortunately, Varnum was able to top Kavitha Tipirneni at No. 1 singles and Cunha clinched the victory with a close two-set win.
"We were very happy to walk away with a win," said Louderback.
Things don't get any easier from this point on, however. Indeed, this weekend the Irish will play host to Kentucky and Indiana on Saturday and Sunday respectively, at the Eck tennis center. Both matches will serve as a benchmark for the Irish progress so far this season.
"Kentucky is a very good team who almost beat [third ranked] Duke last weekend and its always a battle when we play Indiana," said Louderback.
The Wildcats enter the match as a top-25 team looking to avenge their loss to the highly ranked Blue Devils. Louderback is approaching the match with a mixture of confidence and caution.
"I think our doubles teams have played outstanding so far this season, but Kentucky has three very good doubles teams. That is definitely their strength," he said.
Indiana may not be as highly ranked, but their experience against the Irish certainly makes them a dangerous opponent. The most recent meeting between the two came at the Eck Classic in November.
"Indiana has a much younger team than Kentucky, but they still have a lot of talent," said Louderback.
The Saturday match against Kentucky begins at noon on while the team plays Indiana at 11 p.m. on Sunday.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 1, 2002
