DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's tennis team is preparing for a long weekend away from home. The Bulldogs travel to Minneapolis for a dual against Alabama at 2 p.m. on Friday, and they head west for a matchup at Oregon at 1 p.m. (CST) on Sunday.
 
Last weekend Drake took part in a four-team round robin in Fayetteville, Ark. The Bulldogs dropped their three matches and will look to bounce back on the road again this weekend.
 
Scouting Alabama
 
The Crimson Tide (5-1) will play away from Tuscaloosa for the first time this spring. Alabama received votes in the latest ITA poll and features two nationally-ranked talents.
 
Riccardo Robert was slotted at No. 96 in the ITA's Final Fall singles rankings. The junior Italian has struggled thus far in the spring, posting a 1-4 record in singles duals.
 
Alexey Nesterov, a senior from Moscow, is 3-1 in singles play this season. He and Robert combine to form a potent doubles team, and they are 10-2 together on the year. The duo was ranked No. 40 in the ITA's Fall doubles team rankings.
 
Scouting Oregon
 
Oregon (4-2) will host Drake in Eugene on Sunday, a place where the Ducks are 3-1 this season. Oregon boasts firepower of its own in the form of Joshua Charlton.
 
Charlton finished No. 14 in the ITA Fall singles rankings and has posted a 4-1 record in singles play this spring. Charlton and Ty Gentry are the No. 8 ranked doubles pairing in the nation, touting a record of 11-3.