After encouraging wins in its first action of the year at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-American Championships, the Northwestern men’s tennis team is ready to take on the competition at this weekend’s Midwest Omni Hotels Regional Championship.
In singles play, NU has placed high hopes on senior Jamie Sahara, who reached the fourth round at the ITA All-American Pre-Qualifying three weeks ago. Also, freshman Tommy Hanus made it to the third round.
Three other NU players made it to the second round. Though he lost his qualifying match as the lone NU player in the main draw, junior Jackie Jenkins is optimistic about the upcoming tournament.
“We have a really big competition this weekend, so we’re excited,” Jenkins said. “It’s really like our season opener.”
Beginning the year with a bang is exactly what the doubles team of junior Josh Axler and Hanus – as well as the tandem of seniors Ryan Edlefsen and Joost Hol – have in mind. In doubles action, these players will try to top their third-round showings three weeks ago in pre-qualifying.
The Wildcats, under head coach Paul Torricelli, hope to better those results as they face tough opponents from across the country this weekend in East Lansing, Mich.
Players want to come back to Evanston not only with victorious matches under their belts, but also with new perspective after scoping out their opponents.
“We get to weigh our competition,” Jenkins said. “We’ll see what we’re up against, see what the other guys are like.”
Knowledge of their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses will be crucial if the Cats want to make an impression on the Big Ten this season. After finishing third in the Big Ten race last year, the pressure is on the Cats to at least match the 2001 season.
Though the year is barely underway, the men’s tennis team faces large-scale tournaments before Thanksgiving.
NU plays just two more tournaments before closing out its fall schedule. Just around the corner are the ITA Rolex National Indoor Championships in Dallas on Nov. 8-11 and the Big Ten Singles Championships, also in East Lansing, on Nov. 9-12.
