April 6, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's 64th-ranked men's tennis team resumes conference play this weekend with a pair of home matches - its first home action since February 25. The 'Cats face No. 40 Minnesota at noon Saturday, April 8 before hosting Iowa at noon Sunday, April 9. The Wildcats (9-7, 3-2), currently tied for fifth in the Big Ten, can climb as high as third in the conference standings with a pair of wins this weekend. The Wildcats will take a moment before Sunday's match with Iowa to honor senior captain Adam Schaechterle (Oconomowoc, Wis./Kettle Moraine) for senior day.
Northwestern enters the weekend still riding high after a huge comeback at Indiana last Sunday. The Wildcats fell behind 2-0 to the Hoosiers, but rallied to take four of the final five singles matches to snap IU's eight-match winning streak and claim its third league win of season.
"I was very proud of the way we rebounded last Sunday against Indiana," head coach Paul Torricelli said. "The guys showed a lot of heart and I expect more of the same this weekend. We are really glad to be playing at home for the first time in six weeks. Hopefully it will be to our advantage."
The Wildcats will look to their 55th-ranked junior Christian Tempke (Wentorf, Germany/Gymnasium Lohbrügge) to carry them at the No. 1 singles spot. Tempke fell in both of his singles matches last weekend, but is 9-7 this spring, including two wins over top-15 opponents.
Junior Willy Lock (Lima, Peru/Markham College) is well on his way to having another stellar season. Lock, who posted a team-best 19-6 dual record last season, is 12-4 this spring while competing primarily at the No. 2 singles position. Lock has taken victories in seven of his last eight singles matches.
Schaechterle also has been pivotal in NU's lineup this season, compiling an 11-3 record while playing at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. NU's lone senior is 16-7 overall this year and has won his last six singles matches.
Minnesota enters the match after going 2-0 in a pair of conference road contests last weekend. The Golden Gophers upset then-No. 29 Michigan 5-2 Saturday before topping Michigan State 6-1 Sunday.
Minnesota is led by junior D.J. Geatz, the nation's 59th-ranked singles player. Geatz is 7-8 this season at No. 1 singles, but is 17-11 overall and has tallied wins over five ranked opponents.
At No. 2, Andres Osorio has compiled an 8-5 record this spring. Osorio has won 10 of his last 14 matches, but has struggled against ranked opponents, winning only three matches in nine chances this year.
"Minnesota is a very tough, talented team and will be a real challenge," Torricelli said.
Northwestern leads the all-time series with Minnesota 45-44-1.
Iowa (5-8, 0-4) enters the match after going 0-2 last weekend. The Hawkeyes were defeated by Michigan State 5-2 Saturday before suffering their fourth conference loss to then-No. 29 Michigan 7-0 Sunday on the road.
Sophomore Christian Bierich and senior Brett Taylor went 1-1 in singles for the weekend. All other Hawkeyes were winless.
Playing No. 1 singles for the Hawkeyes is sophomore Bart van Monsjou, who is 4-8 while playing the top spot this spring. He as compiled a 10-13 overall record on the year.
Bierich sees a majority of time at No. 2 for Iowa, where he stands at 5-8 this spring. He is 15-12 overall this year.
"Iowa is much stronger this season and, as always, they play great doubles," Torricelli said. "We have to break through in doubles both days."
One reason Sunday's match versus Iowa has been designated as Northwestern's senior day is because of some brotherly love from across the net. Iowa senior Aaron Schaechterle is the twin brother of Northwestern senior Adam Schaechterle and will get a chance to see his brother honored by his NU coaches, teammates and Northwestern fans Sunday.
The two may face each other at either No. 5 or No. 6 singles.
Northwestern has dominated in the all-time series with Iowa, leading 56-19-1.