2008 Woodie Awards
Men's tennis falls to North Carolina, Duke; extend losing streak
Dan Morrison
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Sports
Winning and losing streaks can turn a season around quickly, for better or for worse. The Terrapin men's tennis team finds itself in a losing streak that is threatening to ruin a season that had a bright future earlier this month.
After losing to No. 9 North Carolina, 6-1, and No. 40 Duke, 7-0, during the weekend, the Terps are in the middle of a five-match losing streak.
Earlier this season, the Terps (9-7, 1-6 ACC) rode a five-match winning streak into the bulk of ACC play and seemed poised for a strong performance.
But since their last victory over UMBC on March 8, the Terps have yet to produce a win and have seen their conference record suffer.
"Losing streaks are always tough," said junior Nickolai Nielsen, "but the competition in the ACC is very strong, and we know that if we don't come to play, we won't come away with the W."
Despite managing only one match victory over the weekend, the Terps played well and in a majority of the matches.
Freshman Amit Inbar, ranked No. 68 in singles, built upon his stellar rookie season and gave the Terps their lone point in Friday's loss to North Carolina. Against Duke, Inbar and Nielsen took singles matches into the third set before going down.
But once again, the Terps struggled in the doubles matches and gave up both those points, something they've been doing often.
"We have been up in two of three doubles matches in each of the last three matches but only managed to win one," Nielsen said. "That just doesn't get us the point. Had we gotten the doubles point, the rest of the match is so different."
Over halfway through the conference schedule, the Terps have found out the hard way the ACC is full of superb talent and deep teams this year.
During the losing stretch, the Terps have lost to five nationally ranked ACC opponents. In the beginning of the season, College Park had been the Terps' safe place. They were undefeated at home until they lost to No. 1 Virginia over spring break, but recently, being at home hasn't solved any of the team's troubles.
sports@dbk.umd.edu
After losing to No. 9 North Carolina, 6-1, and No. 40 Duke, 7-0, during the weekend, the Terps are in the middle of a five-match losing streak.
Earlier this season, the Terps (9-7, 1-6 ACC) rode a five-match winning streak into the bulk of ACC play and seemed poised for a strong performance.
But since their last victory over UMBC on March 8, the Terps have yet to produce a win and have seen their conference record suffer.
"Losing streaks are always tough," said junior Nickolai Nielsen, "but the competition in the ACC is very strong, and we know that if we don't come to play, we won't come away with the W."
Despite managing only one match victory over the weekend, the Terps played well and in a majority of the matches.
Freshman Amit Inbar, ranked No. 68 in singles, built upon his stellar rookie season and gave the Terps their lone point in Friday's loss to North Carolina. Against Duke, Inbar and Nielsen took singles matches into the third set before going down.
But once again, the Terps struggled in the doubles matches and gave up both those points, something they've been doing often.
"We have been up in two of three doubles matches in each of the last three matches but only managed to win one," Nielsen said. "That just doesn't get us the point. Had we gotten the doubles point, the rest of the match is so different."
Over halfway through the conference schedule, the Terps have found out the hard way the ACC is full of superb talent and deep teams this year.
During the losing stretch, the Terps have lost to five nationally ranked ACC opponents. In the beginning of the season, College Park had been the Terps' safe place. They were undefeated at home until they lost to No. 1 Virginia over spring break, but recently, being at home hasn't solved any of the team's troubles.
sports@dbk.umd.edu
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Be the first to comment on this story