Irish seek to regain slot in rankings
By KATIE HUGHES
Sports Writer
Bienvenido a Miami. And goodbye to their first 10-match winning streak since 1993. The Irish head off to Miami this weekend after a 5-2 loss to the Fighting Illini of Illinois yesterday, ready to regain their place in the rankings.
"None of the guys have experienced a top 10 ranking before. We didn't get here by letting things come to us. We scratched and clawed, as a lot of teams here over the years have had to do," said Bobby Bayliss, head coach.
In doubles competition, the 20th ranked team of Javier Taborga and Aaron Talarico were defeated by Illinois' no. 7 ranked team of Amer Delic and Graydon Oliver, 8-3.. The Irish no. 2 doubles team of Luis Haddock-Morales and Casey Smith lost 8-3, and the no. 3 doubles team of Matt Daly and Brian Farrell lost 8-4.
"Illinois is one of the better teams in doubles, and they exposed our weakness today," said Bayliss. "We need to work on returning the first serve, and volleying with more depth and precision. That's easy to say. Now we just have to go do it."
"If we don't work on doubles, it will hurt us in the NCAA's," said junior Javier Taborga.
In singles competition, Illinois' no. 20 ranked Graydon Oliver wasn't up to par today, struggling with flu-like symptoms throughout the match.
Smith, ranked 91st, may have suffered for an uncertain first set.
"Casey was tentative in the first set. When someone's not one hundred percent, you feel like you shouldn't play your game," said Bayliss. "But if you don't step up and hit with authority, you end up playing into his hands."
Junior Javier Taborga, ranked no. 93, was defeated by no. 70 ranked Philip Stolt 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. " As it went on, I was able to use my forehand more, but he put a lot of pressure on my serve," said Taborga. "And if Casey or I had won, we would have been able to win the match."
Notre Dame's only two triumphs came from junior Aaron Talarico and sophomore Brian Farrell at no. 4 and 5 singles. Farrell defeated Michael Calkins 7-6, 6-0, and Talarico beat Mike Kosta 6-3, 7-5.
Farrell's win makes his record 13-2 for dual match competition.
"[Brian Farrell] really deserves a lot of credit. And Aaron has been a rock. He's a point we've really come to count on," said Bayliss.
Senior Matt Daly took his first loss of the season against the Illini in a tough set against Nathan Zeder, 7-6, 7-5.
Only five matches remain in the regular season, but the Irish still hope to earn the right to host a regional match by maintaining a top 16 ranking.
"The other two times we've lost, we've come back in the next match, and that's what we have to do against Miami," said freshman Luis Haddock-Morales.
Facing the Hurricanes' 90 degree environment could be an adjustment. "Beating Miami at Miami will be more difficult than beating Illinois here," said Bayliss. "There are a lot of excuses, but can we win? Are we good enough to win? Yes. It will be a war."
All Sports Stories for Friday, March 30, 2001
