Tennis teams' mark on ACC still missing

As the long and winding tennis season nears its final weeks, little has changed for the Terrapin men's and women's teams, which have continued to pose legitimate threats to some of the nation's top teams long after their strong and perhaps surprising starts.

Unfortunately for both sides, there's also little difference for the teams in their recent history against conference opponents. A lack of success in the ACC has plagued both Terp squads, and although the Terps play the toughest teams in the country on a regular basis, good performances in losing efforts do little to help them separate from the pack of quality ACC teams.

If either team is holding onto hopes of winning in this month's ACC Tournament, it must take advantage of whatever it can to improve on what are currently unexceptional conference records.

The Terps will get that chance when they face Florida State and Miami this weekend. The men's team, in particular, stands to gain the most. Winners of just one of their past seven matches, the Terps will travel to take on the No. 24 Hurricanes and No. 41 Seminoles this weekend, but the challenge to improve on their 2-5 conference record will not be an easy one. The Hurricanes have won nine of their past 11 matches and have dropped only one ACC match all season.

However, their Sunday match in Tallahassee, Fla., might hold a solid chance for the No. 43 Terps (10-8, 2-5) to gain ground. The Seminoles' elite nonconference schedule, which pitted them against the likes of No. 2 USC, No. 8 Texas, No. 14 UCLA and No. 16 Florida, has left them with a 2-10 record in their past 12 matches. The continued strong play of Terp sophomore Jesse Kiuru, who has taken his past four singles matches, figures to be critical.

The women's team (12-5, 2-5) finds itself looking up at the Seminoles and Hurricanes in the ACC standings as well. But after a daunting stretch against some of the league's upper echelon, the Terps will face a team seemingly on their level. For the first time since March 17, when they hosted Georgetown, the Terps will face a lower-ranked team in No. 31 Florida State at home today. Another fierce battle the following day against No. 5 Miami concludes the weekend schedule.

Outside of the ACC, the Terps have obtained an impressive 10-0 record. Their few remaining chances in the ACC, though, make weekends like this all the more important.

"The last four matches, we're going to face some really strong competition," coach Howard Joffe said. "I hope our girls can sustain the level of play we have been playing at all year."

TERP NOTE: The Terps' match against Miami will honor their lone senior, Julia Huschke. In a lineup spearheaded by four newcomers, Huschke has stood as an experienced veteran in the No. 5 position this year. She will look to reverse her 1-6 slide over her last seven singles matches this weekend.

munson@umdbk.com