Jan. 26, 2010

EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the first time in his career, sophomore Joshua Graves (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet) has been named the Big Ten's Athlete of the Week after posting four singles and doubles victories last week. Graves is the first Wildcat to receive the honor in nearly four years; the last was 2007 graduate Christian Tempke, who captured the award in February 2006.

Northwestern also enters the week as the No. 36 team in the country, the highest ranking for the 'Cats under head coach Arvid Swan.

Graves defeated two ranked foes as Northwestern scored victories over No. 18 Alabama, 4-3, on Friday and No. 75 William & Mary, 5-2, on Sunday. After playing primarily No. 4 singles his freshman year, the sophomore now leads the 'Cats at No. 1 singles, where he is undefeated thus far in the season.

Against Alabama, Graves defeated 62nd-ranked Saketh Myneni 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. He also paired with Alex Sanborn (Houston, Texas/Kinkaid) to defeat the Alabama tandem of Ricky Doverspike and Ian Chadwell, 8-4, at No. 2 doubles. Graves also earned two wins against William & Mary, teaming with Sanborn for a win over the Tribe's No. 2 doubles team of Daniel Mihalov and Sebastien Vidal, 8-4, before posting a 6-4, 6-4 victory over 122nd-ranked Keziel Juneau.

The 'Cats face their toughest dual of the season this weekend as they head down to Athens, Ga. to take on No. 7 Georgia in the first round of the 2010 ITA National Indoor Championship. The winner of the match will face the winner of a dual between No. 28 UNC and No. 20 Miami (Fl.).