March 22, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill.--With a No. 6 ranking and the top doubles pair in the nation once again, Northwestern's women's tennis team (10-3, 1-0 Big Ten) is ready to begin the spring portion of its schedule with matches against DePaul at 8 a.m. (CT) Tuesday in Miami, Fla. and No. 23 Indiana at 11 a.m. Sunday at Combe Tennis Center.
In the most recent ITA poll, Cristelle Grier (Surrey, England/Epsom) and Jessica Rush (Dallas, Texas/The Hockaday School) retook the top spot in the doubles ranking; they had dropped to No. 3 for the last few weeks. Most recently, the duo picked up an 8-5 victory against Wisconsin in helping NU win 7-0.
"I am happy for Cristelle and Jessica," said head coach Claire Pollard. "They continually strive to be the best, and they are honored to be named as such right now."
Grier, ranked No. 3, and Rush, ranked No. 51, also have made a formidable one-two punch in singles, combining for a whopping 42 wins.
The Blue Demons (11-6) recently were blanked 7-0 by Illinois to fall to 1-5 against Big Ten opponents this season. Natalie Matko and Karen Falduto prevented a complete shutout by winning their match at No. 2 doubles.
NU is 5-0 all-time against DePaul, including a 7-0 win in 2003. That also was the score in Northwestern's victory over Indiana last year.
Despite an 8-4 record (0-0 Big Ten) and only two wins over top-25 programs (Tennessee and Kentucky), the Hoosiers have been ranked in the top 25 through the last few polls. Last week Texas A&M crushed Indiana 6-1, including a sweep in singles. No. 41 Dora Vastag, who helms the squad, carries a 12-6 overall record.
"It will be nice to have an outdoors competition (in Miami)," said Pollard. "We will take it one match at a time, as I am sure both DePaul and Indiana will bring their 'A' games against us."
Indiana will take on Wisconsin for its first conference match prior to meeting Northwestern.