The Daily Campus

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Matt Lin Joey Michaels and the men's tennis team face Boston University tomorrow at 3 p.m.

With day after day of walking to class in the pouring rain or hurricane force winds, it's hard to imagine a day of sunshine. But that's the weather that has been promised for tomorrow, when the men's tennis team will take on Boston University at the UConn tennis courts at 3 p.m.

The Terriers (4-11) started their season February 1st with an impressive 6-1 win against Sacred Heart. However, after that win, their season started to go downhill. That first match turned out to be one of only two wins taken by the Terriers this season, their last win being well over a month ago when they shut out, 7-0.

Although BU's record may make them appear to be a weak team, their play can be quite sporadic. As their season record from last year shows, they have a tendency to go on streaks of phenomenal play, followed by consecutive losing matches.

The last time the Huskies (4-6) and Terriers faced off was spring 2007. It was also a home game, and ended with the Huskies narrowly being edged out of a win, 4-3. Returning players Tom Cook, Joe Goldstein and Ben Schueler won their singles matches in the game last year to take those three points. They are hoping that this experience will give them the confidence they need to improve on the score from last year and take the win tomorrow.

Also in tomorrow's upcoming matches, expect to see more great things from senior Christian Malerba of Derby. He's been on fire lately, winning five consecutive singles matches in the last five games the team has played. Malerba, who has been playing tennis for more than 10 years, and is looking to put all that time and energy into helping his team win tomorrow's match.

"It's going to be another good match," he said, "Last year we lost 4-3, and the match I played came down to the very end and then I lost so I'm excited to get back out there. We're definitely stronger this year so it's going to be another battle."

This will be the last season at UConn for Malerba, who has been playing tennis for the team ever since he started here as a freshman. Also, more key talent will be leaving this year when seniors Aaron Ribchinsky and Mike Bobitski graduate.

"It's sad [that I'm leaving] mostly because I'm going to miss these guys and the team," said Malerba.

There are only five games left for these seniors to play in the regular season.

Following today's match, the men have one day of rest then they'll return back to action when they take on Big East opponent, Georgetown, on Saturday.



Contact Holly Lynch at

Holly.Lynch@UConn.edu.

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