Notes & Quotes: #22 Michigan 4, Nebraska 3
4/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
April 14, 2012
N O T E S
• With today's win, Michigan improved to 2-0 in the all-time series against Nebraska. It was the programs first meeting since 1990 and first as Big Ten opponents.
• The Wolverines have won each of their last five matches, tying their season-long win streak. U-M has claimed 10 of its last 11 matches.
• Michigan improved to 7-2 in home matches this season.
• With a 7-1 Big Ten record, U-M is currently in second place in the conference standings.
• Junior Evan King has won 16 of his last 17 singles matches.
• Sophomore Alex Buzzi has clinched three of Michigan's last five dual matches.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Bruce Berque
On the doubles point ... "We really put ourselves in a hole in doubles. We got down a break on all three courts pretty quickly. We just weren't very sharp in the beginning. I think we were ready to play; we just didn't do what we're supposed to do early on. We weren't making first serves, and we just made some careless mistakes. When you're doing that against good teams -- and Nebraska is a very good team -- that can really come back to bite you. Our guys did a good job to fight back, but it was a war to get that doubles point."
On sophomore Alex Buzzi ... "Alex is a really cool customer out there. He plays better when it matters most. Sometimes when there's not an obvious sense of urgency, he's not always at his best. He was down a break in both doubles and singles today. Once he feels it and his back is against the wall, he often raises his level. That can be a dangerous thing to do, so we're trying to help him get more consistent with his play. But he's great under pressure, he's a good athlete, and he just has a different game that gives a lot of people trouble. He's a natural competitor."
U-M Sophomore Alex Buzzi
On his mindset while rallying in both singles and doubles play ... "Nebraska is a good team, so I knew we definitely needed every point we could get. I just did everything I could to win every point, focusing on the here and now and not on the score. Luckily we were able to get the doubles match, which was huge. It would have been a different outcome without that one."
On performing under pressure ... "I used to be terrible in juniors. I'd always need at least a dozen match points to take it. I always choked under pressure. But it's just an experience thing, and I've learned to deal with it. I would never say that I don't get nervous, but I think I've been able to control it a lot better than in the past.
On his recent singles success ... "It's been awesome, and it feels great. My goal this year was definitely to play, and the added goal was to do well in my position. I think I've been doing pretty well. Once you get some momentum, it definitely helps to build confidence. But I feel like every day somebody different steps up. We're 7-1 in the Big Ten, and that's exactly where we want to be."
Players Mentioned
