Thursday, March 24
Raleigh, N.C.
5 PM
NC State
vs
Notre Dame
No. 43 Wolfpack Hosts Pair of Conference Matchups
3/23/2016 12:48:00 PM | Women's Tennis
NC State faces No. 42 Notre Dame Thursday night, No. 33 Virginia Tech Sunday
| #43 NC State (9-5, 2-3 ACC) vs. #42 Notre Dame (9-6, 3-3 ACC) |
| Thursday, March 24 |
| 5 p.m. |
| Raleigh, N.C. - J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center |
| Live Stats | Live Video |
| #43 NC State (9-5, 2-3 ACC) vs. #33 Virginia Tech (11-5, 4-3 ACC) |
| Sunday, March 27 |
| 11 a.m. |
| Raleigh, N.C. - J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center |
| Live Stats | ESPN3 (Court 1) | Live Video (Courts 2-6) |
RALEIGH - No. 43 NC State women's tennis prepares for a pair of nationally-ranked conference opponents, as it hosts No. 42 Notre Dame (9-6, 3-3 ACC) Thursday and No. 33 Virginia Tech (11-5, 4-3 ACC) Sunday. Court 1 play of Sunday's Wolfpack-Hokies dual is scheduled to stream live on ESPN3. Former player, Joelle Kissell will join the broadcast as a guest analyst.
After experiencing two tough losses against Top-20 ranked opposition, NC State sets sights on redemption as it nears the mid-point of its 2016 ACC slate. Listed at No. 43 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) team poll, the team dropped just a one spot after a hard fought 5-2 loss to No. 10 Virginia last weekend. Still maintaining more than a 20-spot improvement from its highest ranking last season, the Wolfpack will attempt to close the weekend with two more wins over ranked teams.
SCOUT REPORT:
Thursday's match between the Wolfpack and Irish is as close to even as they come as Notre Dame lists No. 42 in the team poll, just one spot higher than No. 43 NC State. The Irish suffered losses in three of its last four conference outings, including a 4-3 loss to No. 33 Syracuse. Just one week later, the Wolfpack captured a 5-2 victory over then No. 24 Syracuse in its second ACC win of the season.
RELATED STORY: No. 55 NC State Upsets No. 24 Syracuse to Nab Second ACC Win
The No. 42-ranked squad boasts a pair of ranked players. Quinn Gleason lists No. 45 while Monica Robinson lists No. 61 among ITA singles rankings. Together, the two from Notre Dame make up the No. 32 doubles duo.
IN-DEPTH: Notre Dame season statistics
The Pack will face its seventh Top-40 ranked opponent of the season in No. 33 Virginia Tech Sunday. NC State opened and closed the 2015 fall tournament season in matchups facing Virginia Tech opponents. The Wolfpack went 3-2 in doubles play and 8-2 in singles competition against Hokies in the fall. In November Martina Frantova netted a 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 6-4 victory over Ilinca Stoica in the final round of the USTA Clay Court Invitational to win the tournament championship.
RELATED STORY: Frantova, Stenta Claim USTA Clay Court Invitational Championships
The Virginia Tech roster includes one ranked player. Francesca Fusinato lists No. 51 in the singles poll with a 2-2 record against nationally ranked opponents.
IN-DEPTH: Virginia Tech season statistics
SIMON SAYS:
"This is a big home week for us with Notre Dame and Virginia Tech coming to town, possibly the most important thus far. The extended time at home has allowed us to refocus and take extra time to work on the players' games and top up fitness levels. Doubles has been a big focus for us all season long but especially at this stage in the season, as we have plenty of data to go with regards to what is and isn't working.
The season is an evolving process and elements that don't show up in January can come on the radar later on in the season. It's a question of us constantly trying to evolve, but at the same, time sticking with our long-term goals and the identity of our program.
"Both Notre Dame and Virginia Tech I'm sure will be well prepared, we have to expect each to play its best match but at the same time, our expectation will be the same. The girls are excited for the opportunities ahead and eager to get back to competing after just one match the past 12 days." -Simon Earnshaw, head coach
Fans planning to arrive to the Notre Dame match before 5 p.m. Thursday should plan to park in the West Deck located on Varsity Drive. Those arriving after 5 p.m. may park in the lots located at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center.
Parking will be available at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center prior to and during the Virginia Tech match Sunday. Play on Court 1 is scheduled to stream live on ESPN3 will all other courts will stream live on GoPack.com/watch. In the event that the match is moved to the indoor courts there will be no stream available on ESPN3.
Stay up to date with the latest on NC State women's tennis:
Twitter: @PackWTennis
Facebook: NC State Women's Tennis
Instagram: @PackWTennis
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