Irish expect to extend four-game win streak over break
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
Spring break for most of us is a time for rest and relaxation, but for the members of the women's tennis team, it's time to extend a winning streak.
After soundly whipping four ranked opponents last week, the Irish stand at 11-4 on the current campaign.
Their record and four-match win streak will be put on the line with two difficult matches over the spring holiday.
The Irish will head west to take on the Cougars of BYU on Saturday, before doing battle with the sixth ranked Waves of Pepperdine a week later.
Though BYU is unranked, they might still provide Notre Dame with a stern test.
The Cougars boast a solid singles lineup, led by senior Eline Chiew who is ranked 53rd nationally. BYU is 6-4 on the season after losing to
Northwestern, a team Notre Dame recently upset, last week.
"We try to go into every match the same way," senior captain Kelly Zalinski said. "We'll be fired up and hopefully we can continue to play well."
The Irish have split six all-time meetings with the Cougars, but trounced them last year 9-0.
Michelle Dasso will be counted upon heavily to fend off a BYU upset bid. The junior All-American has taken her play to a new level, as she has been virtually unbeatable in singles competition.
A BYU team, weaker than a typical Notre Dame opponent, should give the
Irish a chance to gain some valuable doubles experience.
When junior Kimberly Guy went down with a broken wrist, the entire doubles lineup was thrown out of whack.
Head coach Jay Louderback has been forced to play pairs that have little experience playing together. That lack of experience was particularly evident against Iowa and Kentucky, as Notre Dame uncharacteristically dropped two of three doubles matches.
Louderback seems sure that experience will improve the doubles play.
"I think as they get a chance to practice more, they'll improve," he noted. "Right now it's just a case of not having played together a lot."
"We've had a week to practice and already I think we're more comfortable with the new pairings," Zalinski added. "I think we'll be OK as we get more matches in."
Notre Dame would be wise to use the BYU matchup to improve, because it will be given all it can handle when it heads further west to battle No. 6 Pepperdine a week later.
The Wave has been riding high and boasts a strong 8-2 record.
Pepperdine also sports an impressive singles squad, with three nationally ranked players.
Junior Ipek Senoglu, who should give Michelle Dasso a run for her money in No. 1 singles, anchors the contingent.
Fatigue could play a significant role, however, as Pepperdine will take on Loyola Marymount, SMU, UCLA, and Wisconsin prior to playing Notre Dame.
The Wave will no doubt be weary after playing such a schedule and will likely be forced to dig deep to hold off an Irish upset bid.
"It [fatigue] could definitely come into play," Zalinksi said. "Tennis is so draining both physically and mentally, and we'll be fresh, so it could be an advantage."
Notre Dame will be out to avenge a 5-4 loss at the hands of Pepperdine last year.
The Wave has won three of the last four meetings.
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 10, 2000
