Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Observer ◆
page 17
SPORTS
MACKENZIE SAIN/The Observer
Junior Shannon Mathews prepares for a forehand against DePaul April 16 at the Eck Tennis Center.
Mathews continued from page 20 ed in singles play and stand as a threat together in doubles. Despite a doubles loss by the pair last weekend against North Carolina, this weekend brings an opportunity to secure three wins. “Learning from our losses is the most important thing to help us succeed in future matches,” Frilling said. Supporting the juniors at the top of the singles rotation is crucial for Notre Dame, and a surprise at the bottom of the singles lineup has been freshman Julie Sabacinski. Sabacinski won the first match-clinching victory of her career against Wake Forest Sunday. Positioned at No. 6 singles with a 3-2
record, she has recently come into her own as a member of the Irish. “Playing more matches makes my game more refined, and I have finally adjusted to college tennis,” Sabacinski said. “[This weekend] I am going to focus on bringing high energy to each match.” Seeded at No. 8, Michigan (40) poses the most imminent threat to the Irish. This marks the second straight season the Wolverines have begun with a 4-0 record. No. 18 Vanderbilt (4-1) will take on the Irish at 11 a.m. Saturday. On Sunday at 11 a.m., Notre Dame will stand as the first ranked opponent the No. 74 Badgers (4-1) have faced this season.
Contact Megan Finneran at mfinnera@nd.edu
ates everything that people have done for him here. “Being part of the Notre Dame swimming team is an continued from page 20 a m a z i n g h o n o r, ” h e s a i d . Nel came to the U.S. with a “They are all a great group of plan in mind. He wants to turn gentlemen and it’s been an himself into an elite swimmer honor training and building and compete on relationships the internationwith them this al stage. past season.” “ Wi t h the Although Big “With the help of my help of my East champicoaches and my coaches and onships and fellow teamNCAA competiteammates, I hope to mates, I hope swim the fastest that I tions are on his to swim the mind, Nel said have ever been.” fastest that I the pinnacle of have ever his swimming been,” Nel said. career would Bertie Nel Nel has been be representIrish freshman a contributing ing his home factor on the country in Irish squad. He either the 2012 helped Notre or 2016 Dame to victories in the 800- Olympic Games. yard free relay and the 400“It is a dream I have always yard backstroke relay in the had,” Nel said. “I know that I Dennis Stark Relays Oct. 8 in can reach that goal here at the Rolfs Aquatic Center. He Notre Dame.” finished fourth in the 400-yard Up next for the Irish are the IM in the Hawkeye Invitational B i g East Diving Dec. 4 and finished second in Championships Feb. 11-13 and t h e 4 0 0 - y a r d b a c k s t r o k e the Big East swimming chamagainst Utah Nov. 12. pionships Feb. 16-19 in Overall, Nel is just glad to be Louisville, Ky. part of the tradition at Notre Dame. He has embraced all Contact Matthew Robison at there is to offer and appreci- mrobison@nd.edu
Nel
Siva continued from page 18 You feel like if you can get to overtime in a game like that, we really felt like we had momentum getting to overtime, because it was not an easy one for us.” The Irish won the tip-off to start the extra period and Hansbrough found an open Scott, whose 3-pointer sparked a 13-0 run for the Irish on their way to the victory.
“I don’t think Carlton had a smooth game, but when he had that clean look to start overtime, there was no second thought when he rose up to take that one,” Brey said. “It’s not surprising. They have the will to get to overtime, and that’s experience and maturity. This group has kind of been developed now and they’re a pretty confident group. They’ve won a lot now, and wow, is that a good habit to have.”
Contact Eric Prister at eprister@nd.edu