March 23, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 37 Northwestern heads west for spring break, looking for a win over the University of California - Santa Barbara Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. CT. The 'Cats (7-5, 0-1) have not played in over two weeks and will need to shake off some rust against the Gauchos (5-6, 3-1).
Northwestern and UCSB are 1-1 in the all-time series, so both teams will be looking to take the edge. Sophomore Joshua Graves (Milwauke, Wis./Nicolet) leads the 'Cats at No. 1 singles and is ranked No. 115 in the most recent Campbell's/ITA national rankings.
SCOUTING THE GAUCHOS
UCSB hosts Pac-10 team Washington Tuesday morning so the Gauchos will be match tough when they host the 'Cats on Wednesday. Despite their losing record, the Gauchos are currently second in the Big West conference.
Gaucho freshman Lucas Sudow has dropped just one singles match in dual play thus far, collecting a Big West Athlete of the Week award during the streak. Junior Philip Therp anchors the No. 1 spot for UCSB.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern had a tough weekend March 6-7, suffering 5-2 losses to Big Ten rival No. 12 Illinois and No. 13 Louisville on consecutive days. However, both matches were much closer than final scores may appear.
Saturday March 6, in a five-hour marathon against the Illini, the 'Cats battled to five tie-breaks between singles and doubles action. Sophomore Joshua Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) and freshman Mark Schanerman (N. Miami Beach, Fla./Dr, Michael M. Krop HS) earned a persuasive victory at No. 3 doubles, while freshman Sidarth Balaji(Fairfax, Va./Fairfax) accompanied Schanerman in securing two wins for the Wildcats on the singles court.
On Sunday, senior Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) defeated the Cardinals' 122nd-ranked Chidi Gabriel at No. 5 singles, while freshman Sidarth Balaji completed an undefeated weekend at No. 4 singles.