In the past three seasons, the Terrapin men’s tennis team has an ACC record of 5-28. But the Terps have consistently dominated one team in the process.
Maryland will head to Chestnut Hill, Mass., tomorrow to take on Boston College, a team the Terps are 3-0 against since the Eagles joined the ACC in 2005.
This season, the Terps (6-5, 0-2 ACC) may have to work harder than in past years in order to secure a win against the Eagles. Boston College (7-3, 0-2) is riding a four-match win streak and is undefeated at home this season.
“This is probably the best team they have had in years,” coach Jim Laitta said. “It will be a tough match to win, especially on the road, so we will have to come out firing.”
Boston College is led by the No. 46 doubles tandem of Thomas Nolan and Erik Kreutzer. The pair has gone 9-2 this season, with one of their losses coming to the No. 2 ranked doubles team in the nation.
“Nolan and Kreutzer are very, very solid, and they don’t make many mistakes,” Laitta said. “If we play our game, we should be fine. I think our team of Boris Fetbroyt and Andrew Orban can be a top 10 team in the country.”
Orban and Fetbroyt are currently ranked No. 36 heading into the match. The two double teams have not played before, and the outcome will most likely send the momentum to one side or another.
“Doubles is important,” Laitta said. “If we get that point, we should be in good shape in win.”
After last weekend’s embarrassment against Penn State, Laitta said he may be switching up the singles lineup but will not decide that until after today’s practice.
The Terps will need better production from the bottom of their singles lineup in order to win. Mathias Sarrazin and Alex Aksanov, the normal No. 5 and No. 6 singles players, respectively, are a combined 2-4 in Maryland’s last three matches.
Boston College will be taking on Villanova before the Terps tomorrow, but Laitta doubts the earlier match will not affect the stamina of the Eagles.
Last season, the Terps crushed the Eagles 7-0 in College Park and took all nine matches. In the past three matches against Boston College, the Terps have allowed only two points.
The Terps will be searching for their first ACC win of the year. The Terps lost to Virginia and Virginia Tech earlier this season.
“If we can win this, it would be great for our confidence,” Laitta said. “Since every team is so good in our conference, any win we can get will boost our momentum for the rest of the season.”
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