Feb. 20, 2009
This weekend the Fresno State men's tennis team will get to test itself against a pair of Pac-10 opponents as it faces Oregon and Washington in Seattle on the campus of the University of Washingon.
The Bulldogs will first face Oregon on Saturday at 3 p.m. and then Washington on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Ducks are 6-4 and recently snapped a three-match losing streak with a 5-2 victory against Witchita State.
The `Dogs' rivalry with the Ducks has been less than competitive. Fresno State has yet to lose to Oregon in the schools' eight meetings. The last match between the squads on Feb. 10, 2008 was a 7-0 sweep for the Bulldogs.
The series with Washington has been more even, with Fresno State holding a 5-4 edge. In the last four meetings, each team has two wins. The last meeting was a 4-3 match that went the Huskies' way. This year appears to be another episode in a collection of highly competitive matches. Washington is 5-3 on the season and ranked 41st nationally. Comparatively, the Bulldogs are 2-1 and ranked one spot back at No. 42.
Also eerily similar to Fresno State, the Huskies have one player ranked in the Top 35 and one doubles combination ranked in the Top 50. Washington's Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan is ranked 31st and Fresno State's Rudolph Siwy is No. 33. Nedunchezhiyan and partner Patrik Fischer are also ranked 41st in doubles, while Siwy and his parter Mirko Zapletal are ranked ranked No. 47.
After the trip to the Emerald City, the Bulldogs return to the Spalding G. Wathen Tennis Center for three consecutive home matches. The Bulldogs will host San Diego State on Feb. 27, then Arizona on Feb. 28 at and then will wrap-up the three-day homestand with Middle Tennessee State on March 1.
"Join the State - Fresno State" -- The Bulldogs return home for matches on Feb. 27 against San Diego State, Feb. 28 against Arizona and March 1 against Middle Tennessee State. Follow the 'Dogs throughout the season on www.gobulldogs.com.
