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Tough Tests for Men’s Tennis 2/11/2005 The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team faces a pair of tough matches this weekend when it welcomes Furman and No. 49 Michigan to town on Saturday and Sunday. Thus far in 2005, the Dores are riding the sails of a spotless, 5-0 record. Coach Ken Flach’s pack holds an imposing combined singles record of 28-2, while refusing to lose a doubles match, chalking up 15 wins without a defeat. Seniors Scott Brown and Matt Lockin lead the Dores, both posting perfect singles and doubles records. Three other Commodores, sophomores Andy Mack, Jordan Magarik and Nathan Sachs also claim that feat. The Paladins represent the Commodores first test of the weekend, making their visit to West End clutching an overall mark of 2-3. The three Paladin losses on the year have come at the hands of some of the SEC’s top tennis programs, in Alabama, Florida, and most recently the Georgia Bulldogs. In their last outing the Paladins fell victim to the Bulldogs, 6-1. The lone Furman victory came off the racket of sophomore Ryan Friend at the No. 6 position. Friend claimed the three set match in a super-tiebreaker, 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (3). Furman also took two solid singles victories from Alabama at the No. 3 and No. 6 position. Coach Paul Scarpa’s squad also took the matchup at the No. 3 doubles position against the Crimson Tide. Furman posted its pair of wins against the likes of Dartmouth (4-3) and Washington & Lee (7-0). The Dores second opponent in as many days takes the form of the No. 49 Michigan Wolverines. The BigTen member currently holds an overall record of 3-1, with wins over Western Michigan, William & Mary, and Ball State. The lone Wolverine defeat came at the hands of No. 14 Virginia Commonwealth, 7-0. In its last match, Coach Bruce Berque’s lineup dropped the doubles point to Ball State, falling at both the No. 1 and No. 2 positions. The No. 2 Ball State doubles pairing upset the nation’s 17th ranked pairing of Michigan’s Ryan Heller and Brian Hung, 8-5. Despite losing the doubles point, the Wolverines would capture the match, coming back to take all six in the singles draw. Coach Ken Flach’s squad claimed the last meeting between the two squads, edging Michigan 4-3 in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Championship. The Wolverines hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series with the Commodores. “We feel good about this weekend,” said Flach. “Furman and Michigan will be our toughest tests to date. Historically, they have been very good competition. As a team, we have to build on what we have already done and continue to move forward.” The weekend festivities begin with Furman on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and close with the No. 49 Wolverines on Sunday at Noon. |
