The University of Virginia men's tennis team (16-5, 6-0 ACC) will look to continue its nine-game winning streak today when it travels to College Park to tangle with Maryland.
After last weekend's win over then-No. 14 Clemson, the No. 8 Cavaliers remain undefeated both against the ACC and outdoors. Virginia has also won 23 consecutive matches against ACC foes. The team's recent success has been a combination of factors, including team health and an easier schedule.
In the indoor season, the Cavaliers finished with a 10-5 record. Fourteen of the teams Virginia faced were nationally ranked, with an average opponent rank of 31. In total, the Cavaliers went up against six top-20 teams and 10 top-50 teams. In contrast, in Virginia's six outdoor games, the team has only challenged one top-20 team and has faced an average opponent rank of 37. This disparity in the quality of the opposition has had more impact on the team's performance than the more tangible change of venue.
"I think [the recent success] is more attributed to our schedule and how our guys have responded to the losses and expectations," assistant coach Tony Bresky said. "We had a bunch of minor injuries that really seemed to hurt us more than playing indoors versus outdoors [did]. Having this break, having a chance to see what we need to work on, has really given us a benefit."
The Terrapins (9-6, 1-5 ACC) are currently unranked, having tumbled out of the rankings after losing to N.C. State April 2.
Maryland has lost four of its last five games and has lost five consecutive ACC matches.
"Every ACC match for us is a big match," Bresky said. "Maryland is a much improved team over the past couple of years. Playing at Maryland is going to be tough -- we're going to have to go up there and be ready to go."
If recent history is any indication, though, the Cavaliers should make quick work of the Terps. Since the 1997-98 season, Virginia is 8-0 and has outperformed Maryland by a count of 51-2 in team matches. In other words, in the past eight seasons, a Maryland player has defeated a Virginia player in an individual match only twice. The Cavaliers have not lost a doubles point over this stretch.
As Virginia heads down the stretch, they will continue to improve for the upcoming ACC and NCAA tournaments. Games such as this afternoon's provide a good outlet to work out the kinks.
"We're definitely getting better everyday," sophomore Treat Huey said. "We come out here and we work a lot harder. In our matches, we're playing a lot better. Being outdoors, we just continue to improve."
As the team attempts to maintain its climb up the rankings, Bresky is also confident that the team will not tire out before the most crucial part of the season.
"As the ACC schedule gets tougher and tougher and starts to become a grind for a lot of teams, at this stage I feel like we're fresh and excited to play each match," Bresky said. "I'm hoping we're going to keep that up."
Virginia's No. 8 ranking is its highest since it was ranked No. 6 in the country Feb. 7. The Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 to start the season.
-- Sam Dreiman contributed to this article
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