MEN'S TENNIS: Surging No. 7 Irish ready for No. 63 Spartans
By KATIE HUGHES
Assistant Sports Editor
After a sweep of Purdue and a near sweep of Wisconsin last weekend, the No. 7 Irish face No. 63 Michigan State today.
"Two years ago we beat [Michigan State] really decisively," said head coach Bob Bayliss. "But they were awfully young and inexperienced. Now they have a lot of juniors and seniors, and they've gone from being able to hit hard to being able to hit hard and in the court. I expect a tough match."
Bayliss said he wasn't set on who would be playing in which spot today. But he has some room to move people around, especially at first and sixth singles, and at second and third doubles — for now.
"It gets sticky as season ends," said Bayliss. "The NCAA only lets you have a roster of eight, but that's a decision I'll have to make as the season goes on."
The Irish, who defeated Purdue by a 7-0 score over the weekend, are 4-1 against Big Ten teams this season, with their only loss coming at the hands of No. 32 Minnesota. They defeated No. 64 Wisconsin, 6-1.
Senior Javier Taborga, who is 10-2 in dual-match play and 17-7 overall, could play No. 1 singles today.
His string of impressive wins includes victories over defending NCAA singles and doubles champion Matias Boeker of Georgia (No. 1 in preseason singles rankings), No. 20 Jeremy Wurtzman of Ohio State, No. 21 Alex Hartman of Mississippi and No. 24 Michael Yani of Duke — with all these wins coming in straight sets.
Taborga was previously ranked No. 95 in the nation but may have moved up in Tuesday's rankings.
Aaron Talarico and No. 88 Casey Smith will play No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Luis Haddock-Morales will play fourth, and Matt Scott will play fifth. At sixth singles, either Brian Farrell, Andrew Laflin or Brent D'Amico will play.
"[Javier] has really gotten the job done at one since he moved up there," Bayliss said. "Casey has overall a 5-5 record, and at one, two and three he's holding his own. Luis has been playing great at four, and Matt Scott is unstoppable at five. We're still waiting for someone to step up at six. Right now we have nine or 10 [members] who have played."
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, February 20, 2002
