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CHARLOTTESVILLE — The No. 1 ranked Virginia men’s tennis team opens the road portion of its 2008 schedule this weekend as it takes on a pair of highly ranked foes. The Cavaliers visit No. 8 Illinois on Friday and No. 12 Notre Dame on Sunday.
The Cavaliers (1-0) are coming off a 7-0 shutout of No. 43 William & Mary in their season opener last Sunday at the Boyd Tinsley Courts at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. It marked the second consecutive season that Virginia blanked the Tribe to open the year. In the match, the Cavaliers got singles wins from Somdev Devvarman, Treat Huey, Sanam Singh, Ted Angelinos, Houston Barrick, and Lee Singer.
The Fighting Illini (1-0) opened the season with a 7-0 victory over Ball State last weekend. Illinois, who reached the NCAA Final last spring, are led by Ryan Rowe, ranked No. 15 in the latest ITA singles rankings.
Notre Dame (2-0) opened the season by sweeping a doubleheader, downing No. 40 Penn State 5-2 and Toledo 7-0. The Irish are led by Brett Helgeson, ranked No. 11 in the ITA singles rankings.
Virginia defeated both teams last season at the Boyd Tinsley Courts. The Cavaliers downed Illinois 5-2 and Notre Dame 6-1.
Following the trip, the Cavaliers return home to host intrastate rival VCU on February 1. Match time is 6 p.m.