After a week of practicing in warm California weather, IU is back in Bloomington and ready to take on its third Big Ten opponent of the season.
No. 35 IU will take on two opponents Sunday at the IU Tennis Center when No. 20 Northwestern and Detroit will play back-to-back matches with IU.
Unlike last season, when the Hoosiers were defeated 4-0 by Northwestern, IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman said his team has returning players with additional experience and new players who have contributed right away that could make a change in this year’s matchup.
Wurtzman said both teams will be a challenge for the Hoosiers.
“We are prepared," Wurtzman said. "We know Northwestern is a really good team with a lot of success, but we are up for the test. Detroit has shown pretty good results this year, but when the match starts we will be ready to go.”
Last season Northwestern was ranked No. 12 in the country when it took on IU, and now the Wildcats are eight spots down on the rankings but still have two ranked singles players in No. 41 Strong Kirchheimer and No. 53 Konrad Zieba.
The Hoosiers have one ranked singles player in No. 121 Antonio Cembellin, a sophomore, who most likely will be playing against one of the ranked Wildcat players in his singles match.
Last year, sophomore Afonso Salgado played in doubles against the Wildcats, and this season he has played in the last four matches at No. 3 doubles with junior Keivon Tabrizi, to fill in for injured junior Raheel Manji.
Salgado said because Manji has been out with injury, it has been Salgado's time to step up. Salgado said the experience gained last season playing doubles has helped him feel comfortable playing alongside Tabrizi.
Salgado was victorious in his doubles match over spring break and now is looking forward to his Big Ten matchup Sunday. Salgado said it will be important to not worry about the loss to Northwestern last season.
“We can not forget we had many close matches, and for this year we have three great doubles teams," Salgado said. "I believe every single player on the team can achieve great things in that match to beat such a high-ranked team.”
Following the matchup against Northwestern, IU will take on Detroit, which defeated Chattanooga 4-1 in its last matchup.
Wurtzman said it will be a challenge for IU to get enough time to recover in between both matches, but he is confident his team will be fit to play by the time the match is scheduled to begin.
The matchup against the Wildcats is set to begin at 2 p.m. at the IU Tennis Center, and the Hoosiers will have time to rest before taking on the Titans at 6 p.m.
“Playing the best way we can, both matches are going to be tough," Salgado said. "Of course Northwestern will be a great opportunity for us, and we are ready to take it.”
