The Wildcats face their first big obstacle Sunday on their quest to become NCAA champions. After finishing last weekend with nearly flawless play at the Wildcat Invitational, No. 7 Northwestern begins its dual-match play season against No. 15 William & Mary at the Combe Tennis Center.
“We feel rivalry with any top-25 team and consider this a big match” senior Alexis Conill said. “We’re all pretty excited and feeling good about our game.”
After racking up a 3-0 record in singles play and 5-0 in doubles last week, sophomore Samantha Murray was named Big Ten women’s tennis Athlete of the Week for the third time in her career.
“(Murray) has just been improving at such a rapid rate and gets better daily,” coach Claire Pollard said. “It’s nice for her to get some recognition.”
Although Pollard acknowledged the importance of individual recognition, she still emphasizes her team’s success and the goal of an NCAA title – and beating the Tribe this weekend.
This task, however, will not be easy. William & Mary boasts an impressive lineup featuring three ranked singles players, including 12th ranked Megan Moulton-Levy, who has earned All-American honors the past two seasons.
The Tribe’s doubles combination is also formidable, with pairs ranked No. 27 and No. 46.
“They have a good doubles (teams),” Conill said. “Last year we were down in all three double matches, but came back to win them all. This week we set the goal to not lose a doubles point.”
Although the Cats were able to claim a close 4-3 win over the Tribe last year, the team still realizes William & Mary’s strength.
“They are just really an excellent team, strong at the top, deep at the bottom – kind of like us,” Pollard said. “It’s going to be a dogfight, and the team who executes the best is going to win.”
After a dominating weekend at the Wildcat Invitational, the Cats are looking forward to playing a nationally ranked opponent to gauge their NCAA title hopes.
“We’re excited and ready to play,” Pollard said. “I have a bunch of competitors on our team, and we’re trying to figure out just how good we are. There isn’t a better way to do that than go out against such a great team.”
Reach Jessie Cai at [email protected].
