University Southern California Trojans
Men's Tennis To Play Three Nonconference Matches
March 13, 2000 | Men's Tennis
March 13, 2000
This Week -- The 19th-ranked USC men's tennis team (9-4, 4-1 Pac-10) is coming off two Pac-10 wins over Arizona, 5-2, and Arizona State, 6-1, last week, giving the Trojans a 4-1 edge in conference play. This week, USC hosts three nonconference opponents: Utah on Tuesday (March 14), No. 57 Purdue on Thursday (March 16), and No. 32 Clemson on Friday (March 17). All three matches will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Tennis Stadium.
USC vs. Utah -- USC owns a 22-1 all-time series record against Utah. Last season, the Trojans swept the Utes, 7-0, on March 16 at home. With a current 4-5 record, Utah is coming off a 7-0 loss to Pepperdine. The team will face San Diego prior to coming to USC.
USC vs. Purdue -- This will be the first meeting between the Boilermakers and Trojans. Purdue enters the match with a 6-4 record after defeating Illinois, 4-3, last Friday (March 10).
USC vs. Clemson -- Friday's match will also be the first meeting for Clemson and USC. Ranked 32nd, the Tigers own a 12-5 overall record this season. Clemson defeated Florida State, 5-2, Maryland, 7-0, and Furman, 6-1, last week.
The Trojans' Last Outing -- USC snapped Arizona's four-match win streak with a 5-2 victory on Friday. The Trojans swept two of three doubles matches, 8-4 and 8-1. With a 1-0 lead, USC only surrendered two points in singles at No. 1 and 6. Andrew Park halted his own four-game losing streak by defeating Michel Stopa, 6-3, 7-6 (4), at No. 3. On Saturday, USC defeated Arizona State, 6-1. The Trojans suffered their only loss in the No. 1 singles match when ASU senior Alex Osterrieth defeated Patrick Gottesleben in the first set, 7-6 (7), then retired due to injury. At No. 5, Daniel Langre earned his eighth-straight victory by defeating Miles Rogers, 7-5,6-2. USC won two of three doubles matches.
USC News & Notes -- Freshman Daniel Langre and senior Patrick Gottesleben went undefeated in singles matches at the USTA/ITA Team Indoor Championships (Feb. 24-27)... USC dropped 10 spots in the ITA rankings after the loss to Fresno State (Feb. 1)... In the Fall, Ryan Moore and Nicholas Rainey won the Fresno State Bulldog Classic over Rizo/Maldonado of San Diego... The Trojans' are 0-2 against ranked opponents in 2000... After finishing the 1999 season ranked 17th, USC jumped six spots (11th) in the ITA fall rankings... Three of USC's four ranked players are only sophomores.
Head Coach Dick Leach -- Dick Leach enters his 21st season at the helm of the USC men's tennis program. In 20 years with the Trojans, he has amassed a 486-114 (.810) overall record and won three national championships (1991, 1993, 1994). His teams have garnered seven Pac-10 championships, for which Leach has been named conference coach of the year four times (1987, 1991, 1992, 1994). Last season, he guided USC to a 19-5 (.792) overall mark, third place finish in the Pac-10 (5-2), and second round appearance at the NCAAs.
Next Up -- The Trojans will face No. 5 Pepperdine on Friday, March 14, home.
