Women's tennis cracks rankings, gets shot at Harvard

Having earned its first national ranking in nearly four years, the Terrapin women's tennis team will get another crack at proving last week's events were no aberration.

After shocking Brown last week, the No. 71 (4-1) Terps can make it two in a row when they face No. 46 Harvard (2-2) on Sunday. Last week's win was their first over a ranked squad since February 2007 and propelled the Terps to their first ranking since April 2007, when they were No. 75.

"I think that it's very possible to win this match because we're intent and we're capable," coach Howard Joffe said. "We're a team that knows what we're capable of, and yet we have nothing to lose."

The Terps can take a little comfort in Harvard's recent performance. The Crimson was unable to take down powerhouses Northwestern and Boise State in the ITA Kickoff Weekend and struggled early against Boston College, whom the Terps nearly defeated last Friday. However, it does sport the only ranked player between the two teams in No. 45 Holly Cao.

"I'm very confident that whoever matches up with Cao will be more than capable of beating her," Joffe said.

The No. 63 Terp men (4-1, 0-1 ACC) are looking for a repeat performance of their own. After falling without earning a point against No. 1 Virginia last Friday, they rebounded to defeat No. 57 Cornell on Sunday, 5-2. The team climbed eight spots in the national rankings, but coach Kyle Spencer insists the ranking is meaningless without the proper mentality.

"We're mainly concerned about ourselves right now and trying to play the best tennis we can play," Spencer said. "The guys are focused as well, and they're going out and competing every day in practice in preparation for this weekend."

They'll have a chance for another standout win when No. 29 Virginia Tech comes to College Park on Sunday. The Hokies (3-3, 0-0) open up conference play against Virginia today in Charlottesville before heading up the road to play the Terps.

"We have to go out there and execute like we know how to and be aggressive," Spencer said. "I expect a good crowd Sunday and hope that the student body can really get behind this team. We'd love to have the place packed."

munson@umdbk.com