The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/759726
JANUARY 2017 ■ 81 last year," Choboy said. "He's going to be counted on tremendously at the top of the lineup." Behind Horton, a freshman that has made a strong impression and push to- wards the top of the singles ladder is Alexis Galarneau from Laval, Quebec, which is near Montreal. Galarneau had a strong fall and earned a seed at the regional championship. Choboy noted he already has the mindset the coach wants, which was probably cultivated through numerous international events. "He's had a lot of people cheering against him and a lot of people on him," Choboy said. "He just has a toughness that at this point he has proven he can handle that really well. I think he actually likes it. It's kind of nice to have that as a young player." Malyshev also has a chance to make a quick impact in his debut season. He TEAM MARY EDNA WILLIAMS Helping Wolfpackers Move For Over 30 Years Mary Edna Williams Class of 1978 • Broker 919-880-0071 maryednaw@remax.net www.maryednawilliams.com Each office independently owned and operated ■ Key Matches • Vs. Oklahoma State, Feb. 5 — The Cowboys will offer a stiff early test in the non-conference slate when they come to NC State's J.W. Isenhour Tennis Center. Oklahoma State reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament last season. • Vs. Virginia, March 24 — The two-time de - fending national champions (and winner of three of the last four NCAA crowns) come to Raleigh for a Friday afternoon dual. • Vs. Wake Forest, April 19 — The Deacs have traditionally been a strong program and made it to the Sweet 16 a season ago. This will be senior Nick Horton's last home match. Key Players To Watch Senior Nick Horton Horton's 65 career wins are tied for 12th in NC State history. If he keeps his current pace of victories per season, Horton would move into the top five. He went 7-3 this fall, netting the Pack's only win over a ranked opponent. Last season, Horton was 16-8 in duals, including a 5-5 mark in the ultra-competitive ACC while playing exclusively Nos. 1, 2 and 3 singles. Sophomore Georgiy Malyshev The Kirov, Russia, native is well experienced on the international scene, but he had to sit out last year after enrolling at NC State. "He couldn't play in any matches, which is not good, but he's so mature and has his stuff together so well, if anybody is going to be able to do it he will," head coach Jon Choboy noted. "He just needs a few more matches under his belt and he'll get rolling." Sophomore Igor Saveljic One half of the Saveljic twins (brother Ivan is the other), Saveljic was credited by Choboy of showing positive improvements after last season. He went 5-4 during the fall, and both he and Ivan will be counted upon in both singles and doubles this spring.