If you think you've got a busy weekend coming up, chances are it's not as full as these next few days are for the Virginia men's and women's tennis teams.
The two squads are playing a combined total of five matches this weekend, beginning today when the men take on Clemson. Play continues through the weekend when the women face the Tigers tomorrow and Georgia Tech on Sunday. The men meet the Yellow Jackets tomorrow and Furman on Sunday. All matches are at home and are expected to take place on the courts of the Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center. In the case of inclement weather, the contests will be moved to the Boars Head Inn Sports Club.
Where the matches take place doesn't change how important the next few days are to both teams. But with so many matches scheduled in such a short period of time, will Virginia come through? One thing is clear: The Cavaliers aren't worried.
"We're accustomed to playing so much," Virginia women's assistant coach Justin Drzal said. "I don't think it will affect us."
This weekend opens ACC play for the Cavalier women (11-4), who just had two huge wins over in-state rivals Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth. Virginia defeated the Hokies, 5-2, on March 21 and the Rams, 5-2, on March 25.
"We're playing really well right now," Drzal said. "Last week was some of the best singles we've played all year long. We've hit a stride."
Sophomore Henriette Williams and senior Christie Schweer probably have hit the biggest stride. Schweer has triumphed in her last two singles matches, while Williams is on a three-match winning streak.
The Cavaliers will need to extend their momentum through the weekend in order to pull out victories over the Tigers and the Yellow Jackets. Although Clemson isn't ranked, Virginia lost to the Tigers twice last season. Georgia Tech slaughtered the Cavaliers, 8-1, last year. The Cavaliers know they can win, but it's not going to be easy.
"It's going to be highly competitive, and they're highly talented teams," Drzal said. "We're going to need to be smarter, tougher and more intelligent. We have the players to beat them, and if we play singles like we have been playing, we should do well."
The Cavalier men, after a 5-2 breakthrough win over William & Mary on Wednesday, also are on a roll. In addition to the usual contributions from seniors Brian Vahaly and Huntley Montgomery, Virginia received much-needed support from sophomore Michael Duquette and senior Brian Hunter against the Tribe.
"It was good for us to get the win and gain some confidence, especially for these ACC games coming up," Vahaly said. "We've had an up-and-down start, so obviously these next few wins are very important for us."
Like the women, the Cavalier men dropped last year's matches to the Tigers and the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech is ranked No. 23 in the nation and will be one of Virginia's toughest opponents this season.
The Cavaliers will need to repeat what happened Wednesday and receive a well-balanced effort from their entire squad to win and set themselves up for the rest of their season.
"Everybody has to play a role," Virginia men's tennis coach Dick Stockton said. "We hope we can carry momentum through the next week, and then from there we can worry about what comes after that"
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