Last March, Duke upset then-No. 3 Southern California in Durham, an unlikely win that was surely the team’s most significant victory of the season, especially after the Trojans went on to win the 2010 national championship.
This weekend, Duke will travel to Seattle to play in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships and try to pull off the upset against Southern California again. The No. 17 Blue Devils (7-2) will compete in a first-round matchup with the No. 2 Trojans (7-0) Friday at 3 p.m. (PST).
Despite last year’s victory, head coach Ramsey Smith is certain that his team will remain focused on today’s match and avoid overconfidence.
“The guys are excited,” Smith said. “We beat them last year, and [Southern California] is a little different team this year than last year. I think the guys have confidence against this team, and they’re all really excited to play against the best. Winning the national title the last two years, they’re still what everyone is shooting at.”
Smith also noted that his squad will not have the benefit of surprise this year against what is sure to be a more prepared Southern California team.
“Last year they probably thought we were a little bit down and struggling,” he added. “This year they aren’t expecting an easy match. They’re 100 percent going to be ready, and we aren’t going to catch them off guard.”
If Duke is to repeat last year’s upset, it will need big performances from its stars—most notably sophomore Henrique Cunha and senior Reid Carleton. Cunha will be pitted against No. 4 Steve Johnson in a rematch from last season. Cunha defeated the then-No. 1 ranked Johnson in a thrilling two set match, 6-4 and 7-6, and this year’s matchup should be just as exciting. Carleton will play Trojan Daniel Nguyen, also a holdover from last year’s squad. Carleton is 19-4 in singles play this year and has posted an 11-4 mark against nationally ranked opponents.
Smith also cited effective doubles play as critical to his team’s chances of an upset. While he is confident in what the first tandem of Cunha and Carleton will bring to the table, he is hoping to receive similar efforts from his second and third duos.
“If we can find out a way to squeak out either the second or third doubles tandem, we’ll be in good shape. At two and three we’ve been up and down, but we’re looking for a good team effort from all three doubles teams this weekend. I think we’ll get that good effort today,” Smith said.
Regardless of what happens today, however, the Indoor Championships present an excellent opportunity for the Blue Devils to be tested against elite competition. Duke will play at least two more matches this weekend, and both will be against more highly ranked teams.
“This is the first time the senior class has made it to the final 16,” Smith said. “It’s a good situation to get some really good wins early in the season.”
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.