Netmen to do battle with Toledo, American

The No. 60 Penn State men's tennis team (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) will begin its home schedule this weekend, hosting American at 10 a.m. tomorrow and Toledo at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Penn State Tennis Club.

The Nittany Lions are fresh off last weekend's 6-1 victory over conference foe Ohio State. Senior Mike Griesser and junior Marc Dorfman led the way defeating Ohio State's top two singles players.

American comes to Happy Valley a week after splitting a weekend of dual matches. American (2-3, 0-1 CAA) defeated Maryland-Baltimore County and lost to William & Mary last weekend.

The Eagles dominated UMBC, winning five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches. Against William & Mary, the Eagles were outplayed and lost 6-1. Junior Jarred Snyder scored the team's sole match win by defeating William & Mary's Mendy Karbid (6-3, 6-4).

The Rockets of Toledo (6-3) have taken off of late, winning four straight. Last weekend they swept all three of their meets, defeating Valparaiso, 6-1, Illinois-Chicago, 7-0, and Bradley, 6-1.

Gernot Kerschbaumer and Jorge Morales, the Rockets' No. 1 and 2 players, respectively, have led the way by each winning their last four singles matches. Toledo's three doubles teams have won 17 of the last 18 matches.

"Our team has improved a great deal this winter." Rockets coach Al Wermer said in a Toledo press release. "Our practice and training has been outstanding."

The Rockets will travel to Loretto for dual matches versus Duquesne and St. Francis before the Sunday contest.

-- Brad Stratton