Terps Come Out Swinging After Week Off
April 3, 2000
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Maryland men's tennis team, which had last week off, prepares to host two ACC matches this week. The Terps host Virginia and NC State, both of which will be strong competition for the team. The Terps look to win their first in-conference match of the season. Maryland, which has played its last three matches at home, continues its homestand on Tuesday when it hosts the Cavaliers at 2:00 p.m. On Sunday the Terps face the Wolfpack at 11 a.m. Both matches will be played on the Cole Field House Tennis Courts.
Freshman Chris Chiu Steps Up As Surprise Leader
The men's tennis team does not have any seniors this season, a first for head coach Jeremy Loomis. However as the season has progressed, the Terps have been led by an unlikely candidate, freshman Chris Chiu (Columbia, Md.). Chiu, who leads the team in singles victories, has stepped up to become one of the Terps' most consistent players.
He began the season with a three-match win streak. Chiu opened the season with a win over George Mason's Juan Luzardo, and continued to improve his singles victories total with wins over Georgetown's Mark Lohser and Luke Grimshaw of Connecticut. ACC competition began in early March, and Chiu has continued his strong play. He lost a close match to Florida State's Noah Schell, 7-6, 6-4, but has played consistently well for the Terps. Chiu picked up his fourth win two weeks ago, defeating Villanova's Mike Mock in three sets, 0-6, 6-4, 7-5.
He and doubles partner Larry Chou (Rockville, Md.) have tallied three doubles victories this season. The duo opened the season with a three-match win streak by recording wins over George Mason, Georgetown and Connecticut.
Terps' Doubles Duos Dominate Non-Conference Opponents
The Terps have recorded eight doubles victories this season, all against non-conference opponents. Freshman Peter Harjes (Woodbury, N.Y.) and junior Luan Nguyen (Tumun, Guam) have recorded four wins at the No. 1 position to lead the team, and Chiu and Chou have tallied three wins at the No. 2 spot. Both doubles pairs boast wins over George Mason, Georgetown and Connecticut. Harjes and Nguyen tallied their fourth victory two weeks ago, with a win over Villanova.
Terps Near End Of The Season, Will Face No. 5 Duke And No. 25 Carolina
The Terps will host No. 5 Duke and No. 25 North Carolina to end the regular season before traveling to Atlanta, Ga. to play in the ACC championships. The Terps will face the Blue Devils on Saturday, April 15. On April 16, the Terps host the streaking Tar Heels, who currently boast a nine-match win streak, to close out their eight-match homestand and the regular season.
