The doubles competition may seem like a small part of a dual tennis match. Three doubles matches are played to determine one point out of seven. No big deal, right?
Wrong. Take a closer look at the Michigan men's tennis team's season. Its 7-10 record seems mediocre, but it can be traced to one main factor - the performances of its doubles combinations.
In March, Michigan lost five matches during a seven-match losing streak by the score of 4-3. In each of the matches, Michigan split the six singles matches and lost the doubles point. That one point made Michigan 7-10.
Over the weekend, Michigan was able to capture the doubles point against Penn State. That was only the third time the Wolverines earned the point in conference play and only the third time all season.
Maybe the coaches have found what they have been looking for.
The play of the new No. 2 doubles combination of freshman Matt Wright and sophomore Jake Raiton improved to 4-2 in Big Ten play. Juniors David Paradzik and Miki Pusztai have also improved to 4-2 in the Big Ten.
These two combinations are the only two with records above the .500 mark this year.
Last year, Michigan's doubles was considered a team strength. Seniors John Costanzo and Peter Pusztai went 11-7 in the top spot. Big Ten No. 2 doubles was dominated by then-sophomore Arvid Swan and senior Geoff Prentice, who went 14-4 in conference play.
The biggest challenge this year was to find combinations that fit together. After all, doubles is more team-oriented than any other facet of tennis.
"I think that finding combinations that play well together was a big challenge this year," Michigan coach Brian Eisner said.
An injury to junior transfer Brook Blain also dealt the Wolverines a setback in doubles play this season. Blain, who transferred from Florida, was slated to team with Swan at the No. 1 doubles spot. But Blain's back would not allow him to play much this season and the combination managed just a 2-2 record.
Perhaps Eisner has found the right combinations for his squad in Wright and Raiton, and Paradzik and Pusztai. If he has, the rest of the conference should brace itself. Five of Michigan's six singles players have winning records in the conference, and the sixth, Swan, is 4-5.
"We have to continue to improve individually and as a team," Eisner said. "We think we have the right combinations."
"Winning the doubles point is something we have to continue to do."
If Michigan can carry over its doubles success from the Penn State match, it has a chance of repeating as Big Ten champions.
Tomorrow, Michigan plays Notre Dame for the 55th time - the longest-running non-conference rivalry the Wolverines have. Michigan owns a 37-17 record against the Irish. If Michigan wants to keep up its Irish domination, the Wolverines will probably need the doubles point. Again.
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
The Michigan men's tennis team will have to work its doubles play if it wants to beat Notre Dame today. The Wolverines have a record of 37-17 against the Irish.