Mens Tennis: After slow start, Irish look to keep winning
By: JOE LINDSLEY
Sports Writer
It took five matches — and the worst start in program history — for the Irish finally to earn their first win of the season.
Saturday, in West Lafayette, Ind., they hope to make Tuesday's win over Wisconsin the beginning of a win streak.
After suffering four defeats, the Irish began to miss the thrill of winning matches. They hope the taste of Tuesday's triumph will increase their appetite for victory.
The Boilermakers, ranked 46th nationally, may prove to be a more formidable foe than the Badgers. Notre Dame dominated Wisconsin, 7-0.
"Purdue is a good team," junior Matt Scott said. "They're probably a better team than Wisconsin."
Both the Irish and the Boilermakers face tough schedules this weekend. No. 10 Duke will visit Notre Dame on Sunday. Purdue begins a three-match homestand with a Friday match against Toledo. After Saturday's bout with the Irish, Purdue will contend with No. 57 Western Michigan Sunday.
Under coach Bobby Bayliss, Notre Dame has never lost to Purdue. Last season, the Irish posted two shutouts against the Boilermakers, including a 4-0 victory in the second round of the NCAA tournament. And it was two current Irish players, sophomore Brent D'Amico and junior Luis Haddock, who clinched the doubles point that turned the tide in that match. Because of those stats, chances are high Purdue will be looking to make a killing against a 1-4 Notre Dame squad that has struggled this season.
"We're going to expect a battle," Scott said. "It's not an easy place to play. We're up for the challenge, and I like our chances. With [Tuesday's] win, we can use it to boost our confidence and take it hard to Purdue."
A Purdue injury could potentially bode well for the Irish. The Boilermakers' number one player, Scott Mayer, ranked 120th in the nation, may not play during one of the team's three weekend matches. Mayer had elbow surgery in November and the team does not want to aggravate the injury.
When Notre Dame welcomes Duke to the Eck Pavilion Sunday, the Blue Devils will either be rejoicing or recovering after their Friday road match with No. 2 Illinois. The Illini defeated the Irish Jan. 29.
"[The Duke match] will be a tough battle," Haddock said. "Once again, we won't be expected to win. We have a chance. It's just a matter of trusting ourselves."
The Blue Devil squad boasts a good deal of talent, including junior Phillip King, who has been ranked as high as second nationally. Additionally, two Duke doubles pairs are top-25 caliber. Duke returns five of the top six players from the 2002 squad that finished ranked 17th after losing to Kentucky in the Round of 16 in last year's NCAA tournament's.
The Irish believe they are improving and overcoming their inexperience as a whole, and the team wants the win over Wisconsin to carry them mentally into this weekend. Additionally, Notre Dame hopes that its four initial defeats will serve as valuable lessons for a young Irish squad.
"We know it's a process," D'Amico said. "If you do the right things every day, good things will come out of it."
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 7, 2003
