April 11, 2012
STANFORD, Calif.- Two weeks remain in the regular season for the Stanford tennis teams, beginning with this weekend's difficult slate of matches against the Southern California schools.
It's by far the most challenging weekend of the schedule on both sides, as USC and UCLA present different challenges for both the men and women. Both the men's and women's programs from USC and UCLA are ranked sixth or higher.
The women host No. 4 USC on Friday, April 13, at 1:30 p.m. before welcoming No. 1 UCLA on Saturday, April 14, at 12 p.m. Meanwhile, the men travel south to battle No. 6 UCLA on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and then face No. 1 USC on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Rain is possible this weekend in both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, but the squads are hopeful of completing their matches as scheduled.
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WOMEN'S TEAM
We're basically one month away from NCAA Championships, and Stanford is cruising along at 15-0 overall and 6-0 in the Pac-12, arguably one of the nation's best conferences. The Cardinal also owns a victory over No. 2 Florida, and is the only team to defeat the Gators to date.
The result: a puzzling No. 6 national ranking.
It's highly doubtful there are five teams in the nation better than unbeaten Stanford, which has notched seven straight shutout victories and is yet to surrender three points to an opponent in a match this year.
Stanford's strength of schedule is commonly pointed to as the reason for the No. 6 ranking. But the Cardinal can wipe out that argument when No. 4 USC and No. 1 UCLA visit Taube Family Tennis Stadium. Not to mention, next weekend's Senior Day clash against No. 10 California.
A solid showing this weekend would obviously boost Stanford's national profile. Coaches around the country are smart enough to realize the Cardinal is better than its ranking, and the schedule will begin to reflect that.
This week's top-10 features: No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 Florida, No. 3 Duke, No. 4 USC, No. 5 North Carolina, No. 6 Stanford, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Georgia, No. 9 Miami and No. 10 California.
Stanford boasts four nationally-ranked players in the latest singles rankings, including two in the top-10: Nicole Gibbs (No. 3), Mallory Burdette (No. 7), Stacey Tan (No. 52) and Ellen Tsay (No. 57). In doubles play, two teams are ranked: Burdette/Gibbs (No. 3) and Tan/Tsay (No. 41).
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MEN'S TEAM
Stanford hits the road this weekend, looking to make a statement of sorts.
At 14-5 overall and 4-0 in Pac-12 action, Stanford is progressing at a familiar pace. A postseason berth is essentially locked up, a host bid for the opening two rounds of the NCAA Championships remains a definite possibility and another strong late-season finish appears likely.
That being said, Stanford must be looking ahead to this weekend's matches as an opportunity to pocket another quality win. The Cardinal already owns signature victories over top-10 clubs Kentucky, Baylor and California. Additionally, Stanford checks in at 4-0 in Pac-12 play, so any shot at claiming this year's league title will require a win or two against the L.A. schools this weekend.
Stanford remained at No. 11 this week in the most recent edition of the national rankings. The Cardinal has been ranked as high as No. 6 this year, and another strong April finish (Stanford is now 24-2 in April since 2009) would probably solidify its status as a top-10 program heading into the postseason.
This week's top-10 features: No. 1 USC, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Virginia, No. 4 Georgia, No. 5 Duke, No. 6 UCLA, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 8 Pepperdine, No. 9 Mississippi State and No. 10 Florida.
Two players appear in this week's national singles rankings: Ryan Thacher (No. 30) and Bradley Klahn (No. 46). Two doubles teams are also ranked: Klahn/Thacher (No. 5) and John Morrissey/Thacher (No. 58).