The University of Washington men’s tennis team leaves behind the familiar environs of Nordstrom Tennis Center this weekend with its first road matches in more than a month. The UW (9-1), is hoping to keep that momentum going in Saturday’s match against the University of Minnesota and Monday’s match against the University of Notre Dame.

“You never know how a season is going to start out, but I like 9-1,” said coach Matt Anger. “We have to continue to come in focused on the match we’re playing.”

The UW’s only loss came against Ohio State, currently ranked second by the International Tennis Association and the only team the Huskies have played this season that was ranked higher than them at the time of the match. Anger believes the team has improved since that loss.

“The real test will be this weekend’s matches,” he said. “Tennis is a constant process of trying to improve.”

The Huskies — currently ranked No. 15 — faced No. 24 Minnesota last year as well, and emerged from that matchup with a 5-2 victory.

The UW will be tested even further in its second match of the weekend. Not only is Notre Dame ranked No. 8 in the nation, they are 10-1 in play this season and have three ranked singles players and a ranked doubles team on their roster. The Huskies have only faced Notre Dame twice before, but they are ready to take on the challenge.

“Notre Dame is a new team for us,” Anger said. “It will be a good experience.”

Although the team has only gone on the road for one match this season, playing away from home is nothing new for the players. In fact, they look forward to it.

“It’s always fun to travel,” said senior Daniel Chu. “We get to stay in nice hotels and eat at good restaurants.”

The UW knows that this weekend will be tough, but the team also knows that it is capable of rising to the occasion.

“We can win every match,” Anger said. “We just have to continue to do what we’ve been doing, and take it one match at a time.”

Reach reporter Risa Pavia at sports@thedaily.washington.edu.