March 26, 2004
After two non-conference matches last week, the No. 35 Georgia Tech (11-5, 3-2 ACC) Yellow Jackets return to Atlantic Coast Conference action this weekend in two key matches playing against NC State (5-10, 1-3 ACC) and North Carolina (17-2, 3-0 ACC). Saturday the Yellow Jackets will face the Wolfpack at 11 a.m. at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center in Raleigh while Sunday at 1 p.m. Tech will turn its attention to the No. 19 Tar Heels at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center in Chapel Hill.
Tech enters the weekend in third place in the ACC standings and the matches this weekend will play a vital role in the team’s seeding for the upcoming ACC Tournament.
The Jackets lead the series against NC State, 20-6, including a 7-0 win in 2003. The last time Tech fell to the to the Wolfpack was a 5-4 setback in 1992. “We certainly have had success in the past over NC State, but this year they are a completely different team,” said head coach Kenny Thorne. “They recently had a huge win over a very good Florida State team and I expect our match against them will be very competitive.”
Against the Tar Heels, the Jackets trail in the series, 21-9. One of those nine victories includes a thrilling 4-3 win for the Jackets in Atlanta in 2003.
“North Carolina is having a great year and playing very well this season,” said Thorne. “They always have a great crowd at their matches and I’m sure they will be ready to play us after the exciting match that we had last season on our courts.”
To date, the Jackets have been led by West Nott and Scottt Schnugg, who have a team-best 11 wins on the season in dual match play. Schnugg, who defeated nationally ranked Bo Hodge of Georgia recently, broke into the latest ITA singles rankings and is No. 65. In addition, Jose Luis Muguruza is ranked No. 100 in singles action in the same poll. On the doubles side, the tandem of Schnugg and Marko Rajevac own a 11-5 record at No. 1 doubles and are currently ranked No. 11 in the ITA rankings.
“With back to back matches this weekend, it’s going to be a challenge for our team to stay focused the entire weekend. But, our conference race is so tight this year that every time we step out on the court and play an ACC opponent, our team realizes the importance so I’m confident that we will play our best this weekend.”
