April 15, 2010
#9 Northwestern (14-6, 5-1 Big Ten) vs. #21 Iowa (14-4, 4-3 Big Ten)
Saturday, April 17
Vandy Christie Outdoor Tennis Center
Evanston, Ill. 11 a.m. Live Stats
#9 Northwestern (14-6, 5-1 Big Ten) vs. #60 Minnesota (10-10, 3-4 Big Ten)
Sunday, April 18
Vandy Christie Outdoor Tennis Center
Evanston, Ill. 11 a.m. Live Stats
2010 Northwestern Spring Dual Statistics
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After completing its demanding out-of-conference schedule for the 2010 dual season, No. 9 Northwestern is now set to play out its Big Ten regular season slate beginning this weekend in Evanston. NU hosts No. 21 Iowa at 11 a.m. Saturday before a match with No. 60 Minnesota at 11 a.m. Sunday during which the 'Cats will honor their two highly accomplished seniors, Lauren Lui and Samantha Murray.
Weather permitting, both matches will be played outdoors at the Vandy Christie Tennis Center on Sheridan Road and offer serving contests with chances to win great Northwestern tennis prizes. Visit NUsports.com the morning of the matches for confirmation on playing sites. Live scoring for each match is available by clicking here.
Senior Send-offs
On Sunday, Northwestern will say 'thank you' to a pair of phenomenal seniors for their outstanding play and dedication during their Wildcat careers. In their time at NU, Lauren Lui and Samantha Murray have each been key contributors to three Big Ten Championships, two ITA National Indoor Team Championships and two teams that finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation. Murray is a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and three-time qualifier to the NCAA singles championships. Lui, meanwhile, has twice been named all-conference, has played in both the singles and doubles NCAA tournaments and last year reached All-American status in doubles for the first time.
Conference Conquests
Past the halfway point of the Big Ten dual season, Northwestern has compiled a 28-8 record in singles and a 13-5 mark in doubles play. Lauren Lui and Stacey Lee each sport unbeaten 5-0 singles records in the Big Ten this season, with Lui improving her career conference won-loss record to 34-1.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa is having one of its best campaigns in recent memory with Katie Dougherty in her first season as head coach, arriving in Evanston this weekend with a 14-4 record and a 4-3 mark in the Big Ten. Last week the Hawkeyes picked up a big win when they outlasted Indiana, 4-3, as Jessica Young won a dramatic three-setter at No. 4 singles in the final match on the courts to clinch the dual victory. Iowa's top performer is 67th-ranked Sonja Molnar, who last season was honored as the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year.
Scouting the Gophers
Minnesota enters this weekend with a 10-10 overall record and a mark of 3-4 in conference action going into its Friday evening match with Wisconsin. The Gophers have had an up-and-down season but are paced in singles by Alessandra Ferrazzi, who is 7-6 at the No. 1 spot and 5-0 for Minnesota when playing at No. 2. Meanwhile Ferrazzi has teamed with Alexa Palen to go 9-5 in No. 1 dual doubles matches this season. The Wildcats are looking to extend their advantage in their all-time series with the Gophers to 33-5.
'Rally with the 'Cats' Items Still Available!
The Northwestern men's and women's tennis teams have announced the schedule of festivities surrounding the 2010 edition of their annual 'Rally with the 'Cats' to be held Thursday, May 6, and Saturday, May 8. Fans are invited to attend an evening of food and fun with the teams, take part in a silent auction filled with incredible prize packages, and participate in four hours of social tennis with the men's and women's teams. Click here to view a complete list of auction items and playing partners still available and make your purchase by emailing Jackie Holden at j-holden@northwestern.edu.
Wildcats in the Rankings
SINGLES
Maria Mosolova: #13
Samantha Murray: #37
Lauren Lui: #108
DOUBLES
Chernyakova/Lui: #21
Lui/Mosolova: #51
Lui/Murray: #82
Lee/Murray: #87
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