March 24, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's fourth-ranked women's tennis team resumes conference play this weekend when it hits the road to take on a pair of Michigan opponents. The Wildcats, who have won two-straight matches entering the weekend, face Michigan State at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 25 before facing No. 27 Michigan at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 26.
Northwestern enters the match after rolling past the University of Washington on Tuesday. The Wildcats took every match en route to a 7-0 victory, their third shutout of the season.
Leading the way for the 'Cats is ninth-ranked senior Cristelle Grier (Epsom, England/Putney). Grier is 6-2 at No. 1 singles this season with an overall record of 24-9.
Junior Alexis Prousis (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest), who is ranked No. 26 by the ITA, has compiled a team-high 25 singles wins this year. Prousis is 25-9 overall, with a dual record of 8-4 while competing at the top three singles spots.
No Wildcat has been as hot as 36th-ranked freshman Georgia Rose (Mettawa, Ill./North Shore Country Day) as of late. Rose has been phenomenal, winning 16-consecutive singles matches entering this weekend. She has compiled a perfect 12-0 record in duals and is 24-6 overall.
In doubles, Northwestern's seventh-ranked tandem of Grier and Prousis is 17-5 on the year. The two have won six of their last nine matches and have been a big reason for the Wildcats' success in doubles play this season.
The Wildcats' No. 2 doubles team of Rose and senior Feriel Esseghir (Sarasota, Fla./Brickhouse Academy) is 6-1 in dual matches this season and has won seven of its last eight matches.
The Wildcats have been solid up and down the line in doubles this season, as their No. 3 doubles team of Jamie Peisel (Savannah, Ga./Savannah Country Day) and Nazlie Ghazal (Temecula, Calif./Chaparral) has also been very successful as of late. The 'Cats are 12-4 overall this year and have won eight of their last nine doubles contests.
The Spartans enter the match after dropping their conference opener to rival Michigan 5-2 on Thursday. The Wolverines swept the doubles competition then took wins at the No. 3 through No. 6 singles positions for the victory.
Michigan State has benefited from three Spartans rattling off impressive win streaks. Sophomore Christine Bader has won 10 of her last 12 matches while playing at the No. 1 singles spot. Freshman Stephanie Kebler and junior Jessica Baron have both taken 10 of their last 12 singles matches. Michigan State is 8-4 during that span.
The Wildcats hold a 29-1 advantage over the Spartans in the all-time series.
Michigan enters this weekend's match after picking up its first conference victory of the year at Michigan State.
The Wolverines are led by No. 97 Kara Delicata, who is 8-12 overall this season. Delicata is the only ranked Wolverine player.
Northwestern leads the all-time series with Michigan 37-8.
Following this weekend, Northwestern resumes play by hosting Indiana at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1.