Andrew Linnehan

INAUSPICIOUS START - The Northwestern softball team, a preseason top-10 program, got off to a rocky start in Arizona over the weekend, splitting its 4-game slate that included shaky losses over #23 Nevada and an unranked Kansas team. More troubling is that the offense went dormant while ace Lauren Delaney was in the circle, struggling to give her decent run support in her outings. Delaney, a top-50 POY Watch List member, dropped to 1-2 early in the season. The good news? NU beat arch-rival Arizona on the trip, which should offer solace to any true Wildcat softball fan.

PURR-FECT ‘CATS - The NU men’s tennis team slipped by Middle Tennessee State 4-3 over the weekend, moving its record to a perfect 6-0, the best start for the program since the 2000-2001 season. Freshman Joshua Graves showed the Wildcats what they might be treated to for the next four years, winning a doubles point and clinching the 4-3 win at #6 singles.

DUELING WELL AT DUALS - I know they don’t get much love, but anyone looking for a successful collegiate sports program should look no further than the sixth-ranked fencing squad. I refuse to pretend to know a lick about fencing, but NU just took care of tobacco road (Duke and UNC) over the weekend at the Duke Duals to move its record to 27-7 on the season. Seems appropriate that the most erudite school in the Big Ten have a sound fencing team.