University Southern California Trojans
16th-Ranked Men's Tennis To Host Waves
March 20, 2000 | Men's Tennis
March 20, 2000
This Week -- The 16th-ranked USC men's tennis team (12-4, 4-1 Pac-10) moved up three spots in the Wingspan.com tennis rankings this week after posting three straight victories over Utah (6-1), Purdue (6-1) and Clemson (5-2). On Friday (March 24), the Trojans host No. 13 Pepperdine (15-0) at 1:30 p.m. at Marks Tennis Stadium. Currently undefeated, USC will attempt to earn its first upset of the season over the Waves.
USC vs. Pepperdine -- The series between USC and Pepperdine dates all the way back to 1943. Since then, the two teams have faced each other 47 times, posting a 36-11 record in the Trojans' favor. Last season, USC defeated the Waves in Malibu, 4-3, on March 26.
Pepperdine is riding a 15-match win streak heading into Friday's match after defeating Clemson (6-1), Purdue (7-0) and Duke (5-2) last week at home.
The Trojans' Last Outing -- USC defeated Clemson, 5-2, on Friday (March 17), starting the match with a 1-0 lead by sweeping all three doubles matches. In singles play, Troy did surrender the No. 1 and 6 matches for Clemson's two points. USC's Nicholas Rainey clinched the match victory for USC at No. 4.
USC derailed the Boilermakers with a 6-1 victory on Thursday (March 16). USC won two of three doubles matches to earn its first point, then nearly swept all six singles matches. A leg injury to Patrick Gottesleben forced him to retire at No.1 after taking a 7-5 lead in the first set.
The Trojans won eight of nine matches to earn a 6-1 victory over Utah on Tuesday (March 14). USC easily swept at courts 1, 2, 3, and 5, earning four wins in straight sets. Utah posted its only victory over Christian Jensen, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 6.
Michibata Named Princeton Head Coach -- USC assistant coach Glenn Michibata was named Princeton University men's tennis head coach on March 13. Michibata will replace David Benjamin upon his retirement following the spring 2000 season.
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)... The Trojans' are 1-4 against top-25 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 in the fall rankings 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 489-114 (.811) 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 host crosstown rival UCLA on Friday, March 31, at 1:30 p.m.
