#19 Wolfpack Set For Matchup With Furman

February 23, 2018

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RALEIGH - The No. 19 NC State men's tennis team (8-0) is set to face Furman in dual match play for the first time since 2003 as it hosts the Paladins Sunday at 1 p.m. at the J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center.

"I'm excited for us to get back on the courts after a good road trip," said head coach Kyle Spencer. "It's always nice to be at home and play in front of our crowd and our fans. I'm excited for our guys to have another challenge with a good Furman team."

LAST TIME OUT:
The Wolfpack came away from its last road trip with wins against both Old Dominion and VCU.

At Old Dominion, the Pack's doubles outing was highlighted by a 6-2 win for Alexis Galarneau and Tadas Babelis over No. 30 Aziz Kijametovic and Francois Musitelli.

Against the Rams, NC State won five singles courts to tally its 5-2 win.

WOLFPACK IN THE RANKINGS:
NC State entered the Top 25 of the Oracle/ITA Men's National Team Rankings this week after improving to 8-0 with road wins at Old Dominion and VCU. It marked the first time since Feb. 23, 2016 that the team has found itself in the Top 25.

The No. 19 ranking comes in the midst of the team's best start to a season since 2007, when it also won eight matches in a row to open the year.

Galarneau rose in the singles rankings, moving up three spots to No. 16 to tie his career-high ranking that he established after a successful fall. The Wolfpack sophomore has taken down two ranked opponents since the spring started.

SCOUTING THE PALADINS:
Furman is off to a strong start to its season, opening with a 9-1 record. The team's only loss came at the hands of Florida State in January, and the Paladins have won their last seven since falling to the Seminoles. Furman takes on No. 13 Duke Saturday before visiting the Wolfpack Sunday.

NC State has not faced Furman since March 2003, and the teams last met in Raleigh in 2001.

The Paladins enter the matchup with a ranked singles player in No. 110 Cameron Green. Green is 6-3 on his season, with one of his wins coming in straight sets over then-32nd ranked Henry Patten of UNC-Asheville.

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS:

USTA Day: NC State Athletics invites all United States Tennis Association junior and adult members to come cheer on the Wolfpack.
Tennis Club Day
Wolfpack Tennis seat cushions for first 100 fans

#GoPack | @PackMensTennis

Players Mentioned

Tadas Babelis

Alexis Galarneau

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