March 31, 2011
No. 18 Northwestern (9-5, 2-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 73 Ohio State (10-7, 3-0 Big Ten)
Friday, April 1
Ohio State Varsity Tennis Center
Columbus, Ohio - 1:30 p.m. CT
Live Stats:
No. 18 Northwestern (9-5, 2-0 Big Ten) vs. Penn State (5-10, 0-3 Big Ten)
Sunday, April 3
Sarni Tennis Center
University Park, Pa. - 10 a.m. CT
Live Stats:
EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 18 Northwestern looks to extend its four-match winning streak and protect its undefeated Big Ten record as the 'Cats hit the road this weekend. On Saturday, NU travels to Columbus to take on No. 73 Ohio State at 1:30 p.m. CT, followed by a meeting with the Nittany Lions at Penn State Sunday. The road swing is the last for NU before an extended six-match homestand in April.
Northwestern Women's Tennis Viewbook Now Available Online
The official 2010-11 Northwestern women's tennis team digital viewbook is now available on NUsports.com. The viewbook consists of team information, individual player pages and a welcome video from NU head coach Claire Pollard. Fans can also find a link in the viewbook to the Northwestern women's tennis online almanac and record book, which provides all the historical information on the 'Cats one could need.
NU Finds Its Rhythm
Spurred on by its exciting 4-2 upset of then-No. 3 North Carolina on Feb. 26, Northwestern has been all but untouchable in dual action as it begins the back half of the season. NU has won three straight duals by shutout, including its 7-0 sweep of No. 24 Texas on March 5. Northwestern has been particularly dominant in doubles play, where the Wildcats have claimed the early doubles point in 10 of their last 11 matches after surrendering it in its first two duals of the season.
Individually Speaking
Northwestern's recent hot streak has meant a boost in season winning percentages for a number of Wildcats, most notably senior Maria Mosolova. The three-time All-American has not lost a completed match since Nov. 5, a string of 13 straight outings, and has dropped just three sets in that time. At 20-3 on the season, Mosolova has run her career record at Northwestern to an impressive 129-31.
Also carrying a winning streak into this weekend's road swing is Belinda Niu. The freshman has taken four in a row without dropping a set in singles while improving to 9-3 with various partners in doubles action.
NU In the Rankings
Singles:
No. 16: Maria Mosolova
No. 50: Brittany Wowchuk
No. 74: Belinda Niu
No. 92: Kate Turvy
Doubles:
No. 7: Linda Abu Mushrefova/Nida Hamilton
Scouting Ohio State
No. 73 Ohio State is tied with Michigan and Northwestern for a share of the lead in the Big Ten with a 3-0 conference record. The Buckeyes are coming off back-to-back Big Ten victories, toppling Iowa, 6-1, and Illinois, 4-3.
Kelsey Haviland leads OSU with 20 singles victories and has anchored the team at the No. 1 position along with senior captain Paloma Escobedo, who has missed the last four matches for the Buckeyes. The duo of Haviland and sophomore Gabby Steele have been the stalwart for doubles this season, appearing in the national rankings as recently as 69th on March 15.
Northwestern has gone 6-0 against Ohio State in the last five seasons, including four sweeps.
Scouting Penn State
Sophomore Petra Januskova anchors the Nittany Lions with 10 singles victories on the season as PSU's No. 1. Januskova has been paired with Amy Simidian and Fernanda Perrotta to form Penn State's No. 1 doubles rotation, amassing six victories for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions have struggled in heartbreaking fashion this season losing six games with a 4-3 score. Penn State did manage to pull out a solid 4-3 victory of its own over a good Temple team, but turned around to lose its Big Ten home opener to Iowa.
The 'Cats have swept the Nittany Lions in the last eight meetings.
Looking Ahead
After the two road matches, Northwestern will settle into the Combe Tennis Center for six straight matches in Evanston. No. 19 Notre Dame, No. 9 Baylor and No. 58 Purdue highlight the homestand. NU has only one regular-season road trip left on its schedule after this weekend, which will take it to the Wolverine State to square off against No. 8 Michigan and No. 60 Michigan State in its final tune-up for the Big Ten Tournament.
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