April 6, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 18th-ranked University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team is set to take part in two top-25 matchups in the coming days, taking on 12th-ranked Baylor Saturday at noon (ET) in Waco, Texas before heading to College Station, Texas, for a showdown with 21st-ranked Texas A&M Monday at 6:00 p.m.
This weekend’s matchups will be the ninth and 10th against opponents ranked in the top 25, with the Irish holding a 3-5 record to-date in those contests. Most recently, Notre Dame suffered a tough 4-3 setback to No. 14 Northwestern.
As the Irish head into the matches, senior Kristy Frilling (Sidney, Ohio), ranked 95th nationally in singles, looks to become just the ninth player in program history to reach 100 career singles victories with one more win. Additionally, with one more doubles victory with teammate Shannon Mathews (Birmingham, Mich.) the duo will move into fourth all-time with 45 career doubles victories as a team. The Irish tandem remains ranked fifth nationally and is 8-2 over their last 10 contests at the No. 1 court.
Diana Nakic, who checks in at 13th in the national rankings, leads the Baylor lineup. She currently holds a 13-6 dual record and is 10-5 since making the move to the No. 1 court. Nina Secerbegovic (24th) and Sona Novakova (46th) also rank nationally in singles. Secerbegovic and Ema Burgic pace the doubles lineup, placing 22nd nationally with a 5-3 record since joining forces midway through the dual season.
The Irish and Bears have met eight times in program history, including continually since ’07, with the series tied 4-4. Baylor has won each of the last two contests, while Notre Dame’s last victory coming at the NCAA Championships in College Station back in ’09, 4-3.
Cristina Sanchez-Quintanar, meanwhile, leads the attack for Texas A&M in singles, ranking seventh nationally. The junior out of Spain is a perfect 15-0 on the dual season and is 11-0 since making the jump to the No. 1 court. Sun Wen (73rd) and Nazari Urbina (101st) join Sanchez-Quintanar in the polls.
The Irish and Aggies have met continually since ’06 and nine times in total, with Notre Dame holding an 8-1 lead in the series. Texas A&M won the first-ever matchup between the programs (7-1) back in ’90 but the Irish have claimed each of the following eight contests including a 6-1 victory last season.
Live stats of the matchup with Baylor can be tracked through the women’s tennis page at UND.com, while complete match recaps will be posted to UND.com following completion of both contests.
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