Stanford University Team Page
STANFORD, Calif.- Both Stanford tennis teams are preparing for key road matches this weekend as the first full month of dual match competition continues to wind down.
In fact, both the men and women are looking to bounce back from losses in their previous matches.
No. 28 Stanford (3-4, 0-0 Pac-12) aims to stop its three-match losing streak when it takes on No. 12 California in Berkeley on Sunday (1 p.m.) in the latest chapter of the Bay Area rivalry series.
The result will not factor into the conference standings, as the April 20 contest at Taube Family Tennis Stadium will represent the Pac-12 counting match. Stanford has won five in a row against California, including a sweep of last year's season series.
A victory would be a much-welcomed result for Stanford, which is looking for its first victory since blanking No. 48 BYU 7-0 back on Feb. 1. The Cardinal is slated to participate in the Pacific Coast Doubles tournament from March 1-3, meaning its match against California will be the only dual on the schedule until a home date against Furman in two weeks. After Sunday, Stanford will not play another road match until April 5 against Washington.
The Cardinal has endured a slow start to the season, not much of a surprise considering the departures of All-Americans Bradley Klahn and Ryan Thacher and a new-look singles lineup that regularly features three freshmen.
However, head coach John Whitlinger is pleased with the progress of his rookies. Leading the charge is Nolan Paige, who has compiled a team-best 15 victories while playing primarily at the No. 3 spot. Fellow newcomers Maciek Romanowicz (11-11) and Trey Strobel (9-8) have also demonstrated their ability to remain factors on the back courts.
Two Cardinal players own national rankings in singles: John Morrissey (No. 35) and Paige (No. 91). The doubles team of Jamin Ball and Strobel sports a No. 57 ranking.
