The men’s and women’s tennis teams will look for conference victory this weekend when both teams open Ivy League play against Columbia. The men will welcome to the Lions to Reis Tennis Center on Saturday, while the women will travel to New York to play the Light Blue on Friday. The women will also play Boston College on Sunday, in Ithaca.
After going undefeated in February, the Cornell men’s team has faced some trouble of late. The Red has dropped eight spots to No. 72 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association national poll. Cornell went 2-2 at last weekend’s Boise State Invitational, finishing the tourney with a tough loss against unranked University of Nevada — Las Vegas. The netters’ two wins came against Sacramento State and New Mexico State.
No. 71 Columbia meanwhile is coming off a 4-3 loss to Army, a team Cornell defeated in February.
After opening its season with a 1-3 record, Columbia has rebounded by winning seven of its last ten matches, including a win against No. 68 University of Arkansas — Little Rock. Last week the Lions entered the ITA national poll for the first time this season.
Women
The 6-2 women’s team will look for its first Ivy League win in over a year when it travels to New York City on Friday. With depth throughout its lineup, the 8-4 Lions will offer the improving Cornell team little room for error. Columbia’s doubles play has been particularly impressive this year, with the Lions earning the doubles point in all of its last four matches.
Cornell will need strong performances from junior Akane Kokubo and senior Laura Leigh Tallent to compete against the young, yet powerful Columbia team. The Knights are led this year by two freshmen — Dasha Leonyuk and Milena Kachar.
Things won’t get easier for the women on Sunday when No. 47 Boston College visits Ithaca. The 9-5 Eagles have defeated three Ivy League teams this year, including No. 26 Harvard. Cornell faced Columbia and Boston College last year, losing 6-1 in both matches.
Archived article by Ted Nyman
Sun Staff Writer