This weekend the Irish completed a three-game sweep in their last series of the season in the familiar confines of the Eck Tennis Pavilion.
No. 31 Notre Dame (15-7) took down SMU 6-1, South Florida 6-1 and Butler 7-0 to push their winning streak to five, the longest of the season so far.
"I'd say our biggest strength was maintaining our focus and intensity throughout all three matches," sophomore Mike Fredericka said. "It was a lot of tennis for two days."
Seniors BlasMoros, Michael Moore and Spencer Talmadge were honored for their achievements over the last four years, and each contributed to the three wins this weekend.
The Irish won the doubles point in all three matches, providing a strong start in an area where they have struggled throughout the season. Of the nine doubles matches played over the weekend, the squad only lost one.
"We mixed up our doubles lineup a little this week and I think it will take a little time for some of the teams to mesh," Fredericka said. "We used this weekend as a chance to build some momentum heading into the Big East tournament."
On Friday night, Moros took the first win in singles play against SMU, beating senior Gaston Cuadranti 6-1, 6-3. At the No. 2 spot, freshman Quentin Monaghan posted an impressive 6-0, 6-2 victory over redshirt junior Pablo Perez-Esnaola. Junior Ryan Bandy pushed the lead to 4-0 to seal the win by taking down redshirt freshman Nate Lammons 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6.
On Saturday afternoon No. 109 junior Greg Andrews led the way in singles play against USF, taking down sophomore Oliver Pramming 6-4, 6-2 . Junior Billy Pecor stretched the lead to 3-0 when he defeated junior Federico Sabogal 6-2, 6-4. Moore closed out the win, beating senior J. C. Acuna Gerard 7-6, 6-3.
With the victory secured, play continued as Monaghan and Moros each captured another win. The win pushed Moros' singles play to 12-5.
Notre Dame carried the momentum from the two wins into Saturday afternoon, smoothly taking down Butler 7-0. Andrews took the 2-0 lead for the second time, defeating sophomore PulockBhattacharya 6-2, 6-0. Moore added another win to singles play, taking down sophomore Ruben Geeraert 6-1, 6-3. Pecor clinched the team victory, beating sophomore Tommy Marx 6-3, 6-2.
Fredericka, Monaghan and freshman Alex Lawson also contributed wins in singles play to stretch the lead to 7-0.
The Irish next face No. 50 Louisville in Louisville, Ken. at 2 p.m. Saturday for their last dual meet before the Big East championships.
Contact Megan Finneran at mfinnera@nd.edu
