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

As the saying goes, to be the best, you have to beat the best.

The members of Terrapin men's tennis team hope they can be the best when they take on No. 1 Virginia at home Saturday.

The Terps (9-2, 1-1 ACC) are riding a five-game home win streak and have risen to No. 50 in the latest team rankings.

The team has been fueled by the singles play of freshman Amit Inbar, the No. 68-ranked singles player, and the doubles play of juniors Andrew Orban and Boris Fetbroyt, the No. 11-ranked doubles duo in the country.

"We're psyched," coach Jim Laitta said of his team's upcoming match. "It's a great opportunity for us. You don't get to play the number-one team often on your home court."

Meanwhile, ACC rival Virginia has yet to lose this season while going up against the nation's top competition, and it isn't the top team for no reason.

The team has won decisively over six top-10 teams so far this season, proving themselves as clearly the best team in the country in Laitta's eyes.

It will be difficult for the Terps to find an area of weakness in the Cavaliers' lineup. They have three top-25 ranked singles players on their roster, including the No. 1-overall player, senior Somdev Devvarman. They also have the No. 1-ranked doubles team in Devvarman and fellow senior Treat Huey.

Laitta knows his team has its work cut out for them this weekend but still expects the Terps to be competitive and focused on what they can control.

"We have to focus on our game. I tell the guys all the time, 'You don't play the opponent, you play the ball,'" Laitta said.

One of the keys to the Terps' chances of pulling off the upset will be staying in matches early and making the Cavs earn every point.

"If you fall behind, they can steamroll you pretty quickly," he said.

sports@dbk.umd.edu

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