No. 10 Irish host No. 17 Illini in regional rivalry
By KATIE HUGHES
Sports Writer
Top-10 adrenaline will be emanating from the Eck Tennis Pavilion today as the Irish take on regional rivals Illinois in a pivotal midseason match.
"Motivation is at an all-time high," said assistant coach Billy Pate. "Illinois is known to be really aggressive. They're in your face, they're yelling and screaming. We've got to meet that challenge and be able to have poise and composure, and just focus on the task at hand."
A win for the Irish would mean redemption for two close losses to the Illini last season.
After claiming the Blue Grey title last week by defeating Tulane, Rice, Auburn, and Fresno State, the Intercollegate Tennis Association's computer-generated rankings put Notre Dame at No. 10, while Illinois comes into the match ranked No. 17.
"We're pleased to be in the top 10, but it's really more important at the end of the season," said Pate.
Illinois crowd support has always been an obstacle for the Irish, and a horde of orange and blue supporters would not be unexpected on Thursday. "We would really like to prioritize crowd support at matches," Pate said. "There is the perception that college tennis is country club-ish, and white shirts, but it's more like the rock and roll, pump your fist, in your face type atmosphere. Once they get here, people will realize that you really can be loud and go nuts, and it really makes a difference."
To win against the Fighting Illini, the Irish will have to focus first on consistency in doubles. Notre Dame's No. 1 doubles team of juniors Javier Taborga and Aaron Talarico, ranked in the top 20, will set the tone for the match.
"They both have different syles, but you don't want to have two identical personalities in doubles," said Pate. "Javier is like the passionate Latin, and Aaron is more of the laid back California guy. I think we have a pretty good balance there."
Juniors Casey Smith and Taborga, both ranked in the top 100 singles players in the nation, will lead the 62-18 singles lineup. Smith has biggest challenge of the meet — he has to play Illinois All-American Graydon Oliver.
Sophomore Brian Farrell, who leads the Irish with a 12-2 singles record, freshman Luis Haddock-Morales and Talarico will also be key in Irish singles competition.
Pate expected that either senior Matt Daly, who has been plagued by an injury for much of the season, or 10-1 freshman sensation Matthew Scott will play No. 6 singles.
Another win would stretch Notre Dame's winning streak to 11 games. If the Irish maintain a top 16 ranking, by the end of the season, they would be eligible to host a regional match.
"We've got the bus going," said head coach Bobby Bayliss. "Now we just have to keep it moving down the hill."
The match will be played inside at the Eck Tennis Pavilion at 3 p.m. To attract fans, the athletic department is sponsoring prize drawings for those who attend today's match.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, March 29, 2001
