Spring Break
Big East tourney next on tap for surprise Huskies
Matthew McDonough
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports
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UConn is slated to face Villanova in the first round, a rematch from last week's Senior Day. Villanova left a bad taste in UConn's mouth, and the Huskies are looking to avenge the 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Wildcats.
"We will see Villanova on Thursday. It will be a tough fight," said assistant coach Michael Louis. "They got the best of us on Saturday. But, our best tennis is ahead of us."
The last time these two teams faced each other was Saturday at the East Hartford Racquet Club. While Villanova got the best of UConn, it was the crucial doubles point that proved to be the death of the Huskies. The tandems of Joe Goldstein and Ben Schueler and Andrew Marcus and Scott Warden lost in doubles, giving Villanova the difference in a close match.
UConn can build on the relative success it had in the singles portion of the match. Its top two players, Goldstein and Marcus, both won in singles. However, the next three Huskies fell before Tom Cook won a shortened match. The doubles point will have to go UConn's way this week if it wants a chance to win.
"When we lost the doubles point, we knew it was going to be a struggle to win," said head coach Glenn Marshall. "It was the determining fact. I hope we can get revenge on them this week."
"There are a lot of positives to take away from the last few matches," Louis said. "We've shown a lot of fight and commitment."
Last year Villanova ended UConn's season in the first round of the Big East tournament, winning 4-2. This time, the Huskies will try to avoid the same fate that befell them last year.
This year the two tournament rivals will face off on USF's Andros Courts at 9 a.m. The winner of Match 1 will try to upset No. 1 seeded Louisville on Friday at the Varsity Courts. No. 2 seed Notre Dame is another force to be reckoned with, having dominated the Big East, winning the last two titles. USF will have the home court advantage, but Louisville has the easiest road.
It all starts early Thursday morning with what looks to be a promising rematch.
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