GophersâÄô menâÄôs tennis coach Geoff Young often stresses that every player on his team is different. They are deep in their skills and talents, which makes them difficult to coach all at the same time. Young has to divide and conquer. He also has to let things happen. âÄúI donâÄôt try to do it all at once,âÄù Young said. âÄúSometimes the best thing to do as a coach is not get in the way.âÄù Young also values the depth more than anything else in this yearâÄôs team. It has been MinnesotaâÄôs stronghold this season. ItâÄôs also what sets them apart. âÄúThis [team] is much deeper, very deep, and just more talented.âÄù The No. 24 Gophers (10-1) are looking for their ninth consecutive win since losing to Louisville exactly one month ago. The streak started versus Eastern Kentucky on February 7th and is still alive. The men will face No. 22 Washington today , their 7th ranked opponent of the season in Pac-10 Territory of Seattle. It will be the GophersâÄô first away trip since the Kentucky road-trip in early February. With seven of the eight wins in the streak coming at home , MinnesotaâÄôs run could be halted this weekend. Washington is not a team to be overlooked, either. The Huskies have eight wins with two of their four losses have coming to top-5 teams, including No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Georgia. Coach Young knows it will again be a fight. âÄúTheyâÄôre good all the way up and down their lineup.âÄù The teams also hold an even record in their eight-match history, with Minnesota winning at home two years ago (5-2). Another win over a ranked opponent would bring the GophersâÄô total to seven. It would be their 6th upset victory of the season. Freshman Ishay Hadash will use his own momentum and experience again this weekend. Hadash, who has a three match win streak, won Big Ten tennis athlete of the week honors after his most recent win over the nationâÄôs No. 13 ranked player from East Tennessee State.
No. 22 Washington standing in the way of Gophers’ ninth straight win
Published March 5, 2009
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