April 4, 2008

Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Northwestern knew it had a full-plate ahead on Friday in its match against second-ranked Ohio State, but were unable to make a run at the upset and fell 7-0. The Wildcats drop to 7-12 in dual matches this season and continue their search for a Big Ten victory.

The 'Cats were swept in doubles and went down 1-0 after a few tight matches. At No. 1, Marc Dwyer (Peachtree City, Ga./Independent Study H.S.) and Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) gave a valiant effort against the 27th-ranked duo from Ohio State, but dropped the match 8-6. David Seyferth (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Pioneer) and Andrew McCarthy (Cincinnati, Ohio/Indian Hill) also gave a scare at No. 3, but ultimately fell 8-5.

Northwestern went down 2-0 when Seyferth lost at No. 6 in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. Seyferth had hoped to improve to .500 in dual singles with a sweep this weekend, but drops to 5-8 from No. 6 on the year.

The Wildcats found themselves in a 3-0 deficit after Dwyer was defeated at No. 1. He put up a fight by hanging tough early in the first set, but couldn't get the best of his 18th-ranked opponent, losing the match 6-3, 6-1.

Ohio State clinched the match and took a 4-0 advantage when Sanborn fell at No. 2, 6-1, 6-2. Despite a good effort from the sophomore captain, 33rd-ranked Steven Monke won the match. Sanborn has struggled at No. 2 this season, but continues to lead Northwestern with an 11-8 dual singles record this season.

The 'Cats went down 5-0 with the defeat of Juan Gomez (Mexico City, Mexico/South Florida) at No. 5. Gomez had hoped to continue his successful performance from last weekend, but was unable to get into a groove, dropping the match 6-1, 6-2.

Alexander Thams (Stockholm, Sweden/Enskilda Gymnasiet) gave the most impressive performance of the afternoon in his dual with 17th-ranked Justin Kronauge at No. 3. After taking an early lead on his highly ranked competitor, Thams dropped the first set 6-2. He had hoped to rebound in the second set, but after fighting valiantly Thams fell 7-6, giving Ohio State a 6-0 match lead.

Northwestern lost the final singles match at No. 4, ensuring the 7-0 sweep for the Buckeyes. Peter Rispoli (Naples, Fla./St. Stephens (Texas)) was in a match full of back-and-forth rallying, but could never gain control of the match and lost, 6-2, 6-1.

The 'Cats leave Columbus with a disappointing loss, but gain valuable experience with their match against No. 2 Ohio State.

Northwestern returns to action at noon Sunday, April 6 when they travel to Bloomington, Ind. to face the 39th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. The Wildcats own the all-time series with Indiana, 41-35, and look to earn their first Big Ten victory this season.

Singles competition

1. #18 Bryan Koniecko (OSU) def. Marc Dwyer (NU) 6-3, 6-1
2. #33 Steven Moneke (OSU) def. Alex Sanborn (NU) 6-1, 6-2
3. #17 Justin Kronauge (OSU) def. Alex Thams (NU) 6-2, 7-6
4. Shuhei Uzawa (OSU) def. Peter Rispoli (NU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Balazs Novak (OSU) def. Juan Gomez (NU) 6-1, 6-2
6. Dominic Ozanne (OSU) def. David Seyferth (NU) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles competition

1. #27 Steven Moneke/Bryan Koniecko (OSU) def. Alex Sanborn/Marc Dwyer (NU) 8-6
2. #13 Drew Eberly/Justin Kronauge (OSU) def. Peter Rispoli/Alex Thams (NU) 8-1
3. Shuhei Uzawa/Balazs Novak (OSU) def. David Seyferth/Andrew McCarthy (NU) 8-5

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,1,2,5,3,4)

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