Mens Tennis: Duke overpowers Notre Dame
By JOE LINDSLEY
Sports Writer
The weekend started off well for the Irish mens tennis team, as it won its second match of the season Saturday at Purdue, but Duke put Notre Dame's fledgling win streak to an end as the Blue Devils dominated, 4-2, Sunday.
Notre Dame, which fell to 2-5 on the spring season, has struggled with securing the doubles point all season. The Irish rallied after the Boilermakers swept the doubles portion of the match Saturday, but Notre Dame was not able to recover in singles after losing the doubles point against Duke Sunday.
No. 43 Notre Dame's close loss to No. 8 Duke was disappointing for an Irish team that began the season with the worst start in program history. Nevertheless, after playing the Blue Devils, the Irish believe they have what it takes to contend with a top-ranked team. Such a confidence will be crucial to the Irish in the upcoming weeks, during which they will face some of the nation's very best squads.
"We're trying to look at it in a positive way," freshman Patrick Buchanan said. "We're obviously a young team right now. We're getting stronger from each of our matches and learning from our experiences."
Buchanan in part symbolizes the team's gradual improvements. The Irish have a youthful roster, and inexperience has played in a role in their losing start. Buchanan came into the week with a five-match losing streak, but Tuesday he clinched victory for the Irish against Wisconsin, and Saturday he contributed to the Irish win with his singles victory against Purdue. Sunday, the freshman defeated the Blue Devils' Ryan Heinburg, 6-4, 6-1. Additionally, transfer Nicholas Lopez-Acevedo defeated York Allen, 6-3, 6-1.
Sunday was not a great day for Irish veterans, but they had to deal with tough competition. Junior Matt Scott, ranked 119th, was defeated by No. 77 Ludovic Walter, 6-3, 6-4. No. 72 Luis Haddock, a junior, was upset by the Blue Devils' Phillip King, 6-3, 6-1.
Jonathon Stokke prevailed over Irish senior Brian Farrell, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.
The Irish were also lacking one of their best. Sophomore Brent D'Amico, who has gone 6-0 in singles play this spring, was injured during the doubles portion and could not play singles.
Saturday, playing at No. 46 Purdue, the Irish participated in another close match. Yet they were able to win, as they came from behind to triumph 4-3. The Boilermakers began the match by winning the doubles point and the first singles contest. Then the Irish won the next four singles events to secure the victory, their second of the season. Haddock, Scott, D'Amico, and Buchanan were the contributors to the Irish win.
Notre Dame will have some time off, to reassess its doubles lineup and to improve their confidence on the courts, before they head to East Lansing, Mich. Feb. 19 to take on Michigan State.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 10, 2003
