The Michigan men's tennis team expects its promising recruiting class to contribute this year. Last weekend, the freshmen took a big step toward proving they can do just that.
John Long, Brad McFarlane and Matt Wright each turned in a solid performance at the Tom Fallon Invitational in South Bend, Ind. Their success helped answer some important questions about the upcoming season as the Wolverines attempt to defend their Big Ten title.
"The freshmen will be a crucial part of this team," said assistant coach Dan Goldberg, who accompanied the players to South Bend. "They will be asked to carry their weight, and I fully expect them to do so."
All three Wolverines cruised to easy first round victories.
McFarlane, after struggling early, dispatched of Baylor's Previn Waas 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. Wright defeated Dave Abelson, Miami of Ohio's top player, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Long dropped the first set to Greg Anderson of Butler University before winning handily, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The second round would prove to be more difficult for the Wolverines. McFarlane's opponent, senior Ryan Simmie of Notre Dame, was the second-seeded player in the tournament and the Irish's No. 2 player last year. McFarlane played well and tested Simmie in the second set before losing 6-1, 6-4.
Wright also found himself up against a formidable Irish opponent in his second match. Brian Patterson, the No. 4 player on last year's team, was ranked in the top five in the nation coming out of high school.
In what Goldberg called "the best match in the tournament," Wright and Patterson battled to a split after two sets. Wright jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the third set, but could not pull out a victory, falling 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 . Wright said he is anxious for another shot at the Notre Dame sophomore.
"I'd like to play him again," Wright said, "because I think I could have and should have won. I had my chances, but I couldn't close out the match."
Long had less difficulty advancing to Saturday's third round, posting a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Western Michigan's Kyle Gernhofer. Long was one game away from the semifinals of the tournament before succumbing to Nebraska's Todd Nicholl 4-6, 6-3, 7-6.
The invitational also gave Wright and McFarlane a chance to play doubles together, which Goldberg said is likely during the upcoming season. In the first match, the tandem destroyed the Iowa duo of Ulf Jentler and Ryan Johnstone, 8-0. They again had trouble advancing to the third round, though, and lost 9-7 to Colorado's Martel Bufford and Dony Papadia.
"They have the potential to develop into an outstanding doubles team," Goldberg said. "Their styles and personalities match very well."
The Wolverines' impressive showing in the invitational was not due to subpar competition. The tournament was organized into four flights of A, B, C, and D, and McFarlane and Wright played in the A flight, while Long played in B.
"We put the players in A and B because we wanted to test them right from the start," Goldberg said. "That way, we could see how they matchup against the top players from the top teams."
The freshmen's performance against the more experienced and acclaimed players at the tournament left Goldberg optimistic.
"All three of them played outstanding in their first Michigan tournament," he said. "We left with a very positive feeling."