Irish come back to earn 4-3 victory over Baylor
By KATIE HUGHES
Sports Writer
Fighting high winds and weather conditions, the 16th-ranked men's tennis team sent Baylor packing in Texas this weekend, defeating the team 4-3.
The Irish fought their way back from a 2-0 deficit early in the match to claim the win.
"The conditions were far from perfect, but I think our guys did a great job of keeping their poise and fighting hard when there was every reason to fold up and go home," said head coach Bobby Bayliss. "It was difficult to adjust, and any of them deserve a lot of credit."
The 21st-ranked Irish doubles team of juniors Javier Taborga and Aaron Talarico defeated Baylor's 18th-ranked team of Reiner Neurohor and Mark Williams 9-7 at No. 1 doubles. The No. 32 ranked Baylor Bears defeated Notre Dame's no. 2 doubles teams of freshman Luis Haddock-Morales and Casey Smith 8-6 and also the No. 3 team of senior Matt Daly and sophomore Brian Farrell 8-2.
The Bears opened up their lead as Irish freshman Matt Scott lost 6-1, 6-1 to Cory Ross at No. 6 singles. Defying the momentum of the match, the Irish rallied at No. 1 and 2 singles to tie the match. Junior Casey Smith took control with a decisive victory over Baylor's Neurohor 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 singles, and 99th-ranked junior Javier Taborga won 6-2 at No. 2.
Baylor moved ahead to 3-2 after Mark Williams beat Irish freshman Luis Haddock-Morales 7-6 (7-0), 6-1 at No. 3 singles. Sophomore Brian Farrell tied the match at 3-3 when he defeated Nathan McGregor 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) at No. 5 singles.
Aaron Talarico trailed Matias Marin 3-6, 4-1 at No. 4 singles before rallying for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win in the match at 3-3.
In Sunday's match against ninth-ranked Southern Methodist University, the Irish kept it close in their third 4-3 loss of the season. SMU swept all three doubles matches, beating the Irish 8-6 at No. 1 and 2 doubles and 8-3 at No. 3.
Smith again had the biggest challenge of the match, playing SMU's 6th ranked senior Genius Chidzikwe in the deciding match. The Mustang's 24th- ranked Jon Wallmark also defeated Javier Taborga at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 7-6, and Brian Farrell lost only his third dual singles match of the year, 6-4, 6-3 to SMU's Johan Brunstrom.
"I was awfully proud of Casey. [Chidzikwe] is one of the best college tennis players in the country. He played in the Davis Cup for Zimbabwe, and was an IPA All-American. His experience really showed," said Bayliss.
The three wins of the day for the Irish again demonstrated their depth in the middle of their lineup. Haddock-Morales defeated Krystian Pfeiffer 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 at no. 3 singles, Aaron Talarico defeated Alexis Rudzinski 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4 singles, and Matt Daly won 6-4, 6-3 over SMU's Lukasz Senszysyn at No. 6.
"Luis [Haddock-Morales] really had a break out match against SMU. Aaron Talarico was solid as could be and has really been a rock all season," said Bayliss. "It was a great weekend for him, too."
The Irish face 18th-ranked Indiana State at home today at 3:30 p.m.
"Indiana State has a solid team, especially at No. 1 and 2 singles. Most are consistent, baseline players. They're a little more rested, but we're a little more seasoned," said Bayliss.
They will not have to travel for a match again until the Big East at the end of the month.
"It's been a tough stretch, and we've played a lot of good teams," said Bayliss. "But you don't have a chance to do well at the end of the year unless you know what's in you."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, April 10, 2001
