Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

n Gymnastics looks to ride hot streak

After a slow start to the season, the Terrapin gymnastics team has been rolling of late, earning both the team's first win and season-high score within the past two weeks. With every meet crucial from this point on, the team has picked an ideal time to start gaining a head of steam.

The Terps will look to build on their recent success when they head to George Washington to compete in a quad meet with the Colonials, West Virginia and Kent State.

The recent success has breathed new life into a team that was left searching for answers not long ago. The Terps have put themselves in a position to qualify for the postseason, provided they continue this trend of weekly improvement.

"We have got ourselves in a situation right now where every meet has got to be better than the one before in order for us to secure that last slot [in the postseason]," coach Bob Nelligan said. "I have confidence in the girls that they can do the job. My job is to make sure that we stay focused and we correct the little mistakes, and that's what [the team] is doing."

The team will get a boost this week as top all-arounders sophomore Brandi George and freshman Abigail Adams return to the lineup after missing last week's meet due to illness.- Compiled by reporter Michael Katz

n Men's tennis tackles full slate

The Terrapin men's tennis team will be busy this weekend in its final tune-up before the ACC schedule starts. The Terps (6-2, 1-1 ACC) will play host to three nearby rivals this weekend, starting today with George Washington and playing out a doubleheader tomorrow against Delaware and UMBC.

With the full slate of matches, the team is trying to work out some kinks and build momentum before the start of the tough conference schedule, which looms only a week ahead.

"We need to work on improving our doubles," coach Jim Laitta said about the things his team needs to iron out before the ACC schedule. "We also have to play better at critical points, like break points."- Compiled by reporter Dan Morrison

n Women's tennis looks for upset victory

The Terrapin women's tennis team heads to Chapel Hill, N.C., to take on No. 13 North Carolina this weekend.

Although the Terps (3-6, 0-1 ACC) are heavy underdogs, coach Martin Novak wants to see his team compete and put up a fight against the elite competition. He urged his team not to worry about what the other team is doing, but rather to focus on its own play.

"You just have to control what you can," Novak said. "We have to stay in points early and have a high first-serve percentage."- Compiled by reporter Dan Morrison

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