Weekly Release #6
3/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Friday, March 8 -- at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.), 6:30 p.m. CST
Sunday, March 10 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), Noon CST
Tuesday, March 19 -- vs. Bowling Green (Varsity Tennis Center), 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 -- at Indiana State (Terre Haute, Ind.), 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 -- at Ball State (Muncie, Ind.), 1 p.m.
Men's Tennis Looks to End Big Ten Losing Streak
The University of Michigan men's tennis team (6-3, 0-2 Big Ten) returns to the hardcourt after a week off looking to snap a two-match Big Ten Conference losing streak. The Wolverines face Minnesota at the 98th Street Tennis Club in Minneapolis on Friday (March 8, 6:30 p.m. CST) and conclude the weekend road trip against Wisconsin Sunday (March 10, Noon CST) at the Nielsen Tennis Center in Madison, Wis.
Wolverines vs. Golden Gophers
This will be the 70th meeting between the Wolverines and Golden Gophers, with Michigan holding a 47-20-2 advantage in the all-time series. Minnesota beat Michigan twice last season, winning a 4-3 match in Ann Arbor (Feb. 24) and a 4-0 match at the Big Ten Championship held at the University of Wisconsin (April 27). The Golden Gophers have won two straight in Minneapolis, including a 7-0 victory during the 1999-2000 season. Minnesota holds a 6-4 advantage in the last 10 meetings, including two wins in Big Ten Championship competition (1995, 2001) and a victory in the 1996 NCAA Regional Championship action.
Michigan vs. Wisconsin
The Wolverines will face the Badgers for the 73rd time Sunday (March 10) at the Nielsen Tennis Center. Michigan holds an impressive 64-7-1 advantage in the all-time series and has won 10 straight matches against Wisconsin. The Wolverines' last setback was a 6-3 loss to start the 1991-92 dual match season. U-M defeated Wisconsin 4-3 in Ann Arbor last year (April 1).
Beam and Lockin Seek 10th Straight Win
Michigan's No. 2 doubles tandem of senior co-captain Henry Beam (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix HS) and freshman Matt Lockin (Lilburn, Ga./S.D. Independent Study) looks to remain unbeaten in doubles competition when U-M faces Minnesota and Wisconsin. Beam and Lockin, ranked No. 44 nationally in doubles, have won nine straight matches to begin the dual match season. The tandem has compiled a 4-0 record against regional foes and posted a pair of victories to start Big Ten play. Beam and Lockin rallied from a 5-2 deficit against Illinois' Brian Wilson and Phil Stolt to win 9-8(6) and followed up with an 8-4 victory against Northwestern's Joost Hol and Ryan Edelfsen.
Beam Charging
In addition to his doubles prowess, Henry Beam has jumped out to a 12-6 overall singles record this season. He boasts an impressive 7-2 mark at the No. 1 singles slot, with both losses coming to higher ranked national players: No. 39 Jevgenji Cariov of DePaul and No. 11 Amer Delic of Illinois. Beam opened the dual match season by splitting two matches, losing in a pair of tie breakers to Delic (7-6[5], 7-6[6]) and beating Thomas Hanus of Northwestern in straight sets (6-4, 7-6[5]). Beam has registered a 75-45 career singles record and a 42-26 mark in dual match action.
Lockin Nears 20-Win Club
Matt Lockin heads into the second week of the conference dual match season drawing closer to the 20-win club in singles. Lockin leads the team in overall singles victories (17-7), overall winning percentage (.708), dual match wins (8-1), dual match winning percentage (.889) and regional victories (11-4). He suffered his first career dual match loss against Illinois' Michael Calkins (7-6[2], 6-4 on Feb. 23) but turned around and posted a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(3) victory over Jackie Jenkins of Northwestern the following day (Feb. 24). Lockin has collected wins in 11 of his last 13 matches and 14 of his last 17 contests, including a career-best seven-match winning streak to start the dual match season.
Jackson Nears 40th Singles Win
Sophomore Anthony Jackson (Glendale, Wis./Nicolet HS) has been one of the team's top performers this season, tallying a 15-12 overall singles record. Jackson has claimed victories in six of his last seven matches, including back-to-back three-set wins against Illinois' Mike Kosta (6-4, 3-6, 6-1) and Northwestern's Ryan Edelfsen (3-6, 6-4, 7-6[3]) to start the Big Ten dual match season. Jackson has registered a 36-24 career singles record and is 20-9 in dual match action. In addition to his 15-12 mark this season, Jackson has an 8-8 regional mark and a 7-2 dual match record (1-0 at No. 2 and 6-2 at No. 3).
Next Week
The men's tennis team does not compete next week. The Wolverines return to action with a three-match week starting at the Varsity Tennis Center against Bowling Green Tuesday (March 19, 4 p.m.). U-M concludes the regional week at Indiana State Saturday (March 23, 1 p.m. CST) and against Ball State Sunday (March 24, 1 p.m. CST).
Contact: David Ablauf (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
