BOSTON, Mass. – The No. 46 nationally ranked Old Dominions men’s tennis team (6-4) will be back in action this weekend when they take on Harvard (9-2) at 4:00 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 23, in Boston. Following its match with Harvard, ODU will travel to Hanover, N.H. for a match against undefeated Dartmouth (12-0). That match will take place on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 11:00 a.m. EST.
Inside the Numbers for No. 46 ODU
The Monarchs have an overall singles record of 37-20 and a doubles record of 17-11. Below is a recap of the success ODU has already had so far this season.
Singles
Aziz Kijametovic: 8-2 (ranked No. 109 nationally)
Jannik Giesse: 6-1
Francois Musitelli: 6-2
Vincent Schneider: 5-3
Adam Moundir: 5-4
Javier Jover Maestre: 4-2
Doubles
Aziz Kijametovic/Francois Musitelli: 5-4
Javier Jover Maestre/Adam Moundir: 4-3
Jannik Giesse/Vincent Schneider: 4-2
Jannik Giesse/Francois Musitelli: 1-0
Adam Moundir/Jacob Nicolussi: 1-0
Jacob Nicolussi/Michael Weindl: 1-1
Jacob Nicolussi/Vincent Schneider: 1-1
Monarch Spotlight
Jannik Giesse is off to a strong start so far this season. This past week, in a match against George Lovitt from the University of Richmond, Giesse won in straight sets (7-5, 6-0). He is now tied for second on the team in singles victories with six (6-1 overall) and for the most doubles wins with five as well. Giesse and partner Vincent Schneider currently own the second best winning percentage (66.7%) for a doubles tandem on this year’s team. A former junior champion during his youth in Ketsch, Germany, Giesse continues to build on his prior success in just his freshman year at ODU.
Meet Harvard
Harvard’s men’s tennis team is currently in their 42nd year under head coach Dave Fish. In his previous 41 years with the program, the four-time ITA Regional Coach of the Year amassed an overall record of 681-312-1 (68.6% wins), which is the most in school history. Under Fish, Harvard has won seven of the last 17 Ivy League titles and 21 of their last 36 conference titles. So far this season, Fish has the Crimson off to another good start. They are currently 9-2 on the season with their only loses coming to No. 13 nationally ranked Michigan (7-2) and undefeated Dartmouth. The Crimson also boast an impressive undefeated record at home (4-0) and were the runner-ups in the ECAC Indoor Championship tournament this past weekend. Harvard is also home to the No. 47 nationally ranked singles player in Logan Weber.
Meet Dartmouth
This year, Dartmouth head coach Chris Drake is in his eighth season with the Big Green. Throughout his previous seven years overseeing the program, Drake has compiled an overall record of 101-64 (61.2% wins) and one Coach of the Year Award. This season, Drake has the Big Green off to a hot start as they are undefeated through 12 games. The Big Green’s roster also boasts the No. 17 nationally ranked doubles tandem in David Horneffer and reigning Ivy League and ITA Northeast Region Rookie of the Year Charlie Broom. Dan Martin is the No. 101 ranked singles player in the land. Dartmouth is scheduled to host Iowa this Saturday before taking on ODU and Boston University on Sunday.
Looking Ahead for the Monarchs
Following their matches against Harvard and Dartmouth this weekend, ODU will return home for a March 2 bout with Utah at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center. This will be their final match before beginning the Spring Break Tournament on March 9, in Tampa, Florida. The Monarchs will return to regular action on March 16, when they face Conference USA opponent Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. That same weekend, the Monarchs are scheduled to face two more C-USA opponents in FAU and Charlotte respectively.