Jan. 21, 2010

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern continues its season-opening homestand against the 18th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide Friday evening at Combe Tennis Center. The 'Cats look to improve to 3-0 on the season while the Tide will be playing their first dual of the 2010 season. Play is set to begin at 6 p.m.

Follow the match live at NUsports.com by clicking HERE.

SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
While Friday's match-up may be the first dual of the season for the Tide, several of their players already have a few matches under their belt after last weekend's SEC Coaches' Indoor Championships.

Sophomore Ricky Doverspike was the only of Tide players to win his opening round match, but freshman Jarryd Botha picked up two wins in consolation play. Two Alabama doubles teams also picked up wins at the tournament.

Northwestern and Alabama have not squared off since the 2003 season, a Crimson Tide victory, but the 'Cats hold a 4-3 margin in the all-time series.

LAST TIME OUT
The 'Cats are 2-0 on the season after sweeping all 18 matches of a Sunday doubleheader against Ball State and UIC. Sophomore Joshua Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) leads the 'Cats at No. 1 singles and pairs with captain Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) at No. 2 doubles.

Freshmen Sidarth Balaji (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax), Mark Schanerman (N. Miami Beach, Fla./Krop) and Spencer Wolf (Coral Springs, Fla./Laurel Springs) all saw action in last weekend's duals, showing the immediate impact of their highly-touted recruiting class.