Team heads south for weekend matches

The women's tennis team travels this weekend to North Carolina to compete against No. 7 Duke and North Carolina State. \nDuke is heavily favored Sunday, especially since the match will be played at Durham. Duke is the highest ranking team on the Hoosier's schedule this season and therefore poses the greatest challenge. IU last defeated the Blue Devils in the quarterfinals of the National Team Indoor Championships in 1995. \n"Everyone expects Duke to be a tough match since we lost to them earlier in the year," sophomore Christina Solli said, "But I think the girls are playing well and have a chance." \nThe No. 35 Hoosiers enter this match with little pressure as the underdog. In early February the team unexpectedly defeated No. 13 Notre Dame and has aspirations of another unforeseen victory. \n"In order for us to compete against Duke," sophomore Linda Tran said, "Everyone on the team will have to perform better than they have all season and play without fear."\nIn addition to the team's top 10 ranking, four of Duke's team members are ranked individually. Among these players are freshman Kelly McCain (fourth), junior Julie DeRoo (18th), sophomores Amanda Johnson (39th) and Saras Arasu (64th). \nThe Hoosiers face better odds in Monday's match against North Carolina State. North Carolina is not currently ranked in the top 75 teams.\n "North Carolina State is a good ACC team," Coach Lin Loring said, "But we will be favored. They will be much more used to playing outdoors, so that will make the match closer than it might normally be"