March 28, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Top-ranked Northwestern (15-1, 3-0) is set to continue its road dual play this weekend in a pair of Big Ten matches. The Wildcats will travel to West Lafayette, Ind. at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 to face Purdue. The 'Cats travel back to their home state at noon Sunday, March 30, where they will face-off with the 70th-ranked Fighting Illini of Illinois.
Northwestern is coming off its biggest win of the season after a 5-2 defeat of second-ranked Baylor on Wednesday. The Wildcats topped 17th-ranked Texas 5-2 on Tuesday, and have extended their winning streak to nine matches.
The 'Cats will partake in four-consecutive Big Ten matches beginning this weekend. Northwestern remains unbeaten atop the Big Ten standings, and as a team hold a record of 16-2 in singles and 8-1 in doubles conference play.
Purdue (2-9, 0-2) lost in its last match at Michigan State, 6-1. The Wildcats have only fallen to Purdue once in program history, holding the all-time series record at 35-1.
Illinois (6-6, 2-0) won its last dual at Michigan State, 4-3. Northwestern hold the all-time series lead over Illinois, 37-7.
After this weekend, the Wildcats return to action the following weekend when they host a pair of Big Ten matches at the Combe Tennis Center. They will face off against Ohio State at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, and against Indiana at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 6. The match with Indiana is slated to be featured on the Big Ten Network.