Feb. 2, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue men's tennis coach Tim Madden wasn't expecting to start the Big Ten season off on a disappointing note. But the Boilermakers dropped a 5-2 decision to No. 45 Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., today to fall to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
"This was a very disappointing loss," Madden said.
Although there was no happy ending, Madden was most pleased with junior Scott Mayer's efforts at the top of the lineup.
"For the first time this year, he's in the fight, and he's competing like a champion," Madden said.
In doubles, Mayer joined senior Dan Swan early on at the No. 1 slot to defeat Northwestern's Ryan Edlefsen and Joost Hol 8-5. Mayer then carried his energy over from doubles into the No. 1 spot in singles and defeated Edlefsen 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
"Scott Mayer is right for the challenge of playing at the top of the lineup," Madden said. "He's in the fight from start to finish, and we need more of that in the rest of our lineup."
Also in doubles play, senior Laith Al-Agba and junior Carl McCafferty defeated Northwestern's Jackie Jenkins and Chuck Perrin 8-1 at No. 2. The Wildcats' Thomas Hanus and Josh Axler defeated Purdue's Derek Miller and Andrew Wakefield 8-6 at No.3 doubles.
In other action, Northwestern's Jamie Sahara defeated Wakefield 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, McCafferty lost to Hanus 7-6, 6-4. Miller lost to Jackie Jenkins 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 4 slot. The Wildcats' Axler was a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Purdue sophomore Troy Havens at No. 5, and freshman David Robinson was defeated 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 by Perrin at No. 6.
The Boilermakers will resume action two weeks from now on Feb. 16 at Western Michigan.
Northwestern 5, Purdue 2
Doubles1. Dan Swan/Scott Mayer (PU) def. Ryan Edlefsen and Joost Hol(NU) 8-52. Laih Al-Agba/Carl McCafferty (PU) def. Jackie Jenkins and Chuck Perrin (NU) 8-13. Thomas Hanus/Josh Axler (NU) def. Derek Miller/Andrew Wakefield (PU) 8-6
Singles1. Scott Mayer (PU) def. Ryan Edlefsen (NU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-32. Jamie Sahara (NU) def. Andrew Wakefield (PU) 6-2, 6-33. Thomas Hanus (NU) def. Carl McCafferty (PU) 7-6, 6-44. Jackie Jenkins (NU) def. Derek Miller (PU) 6-7, 6-2, 6-25. Josh Axler (NU) def. Troy Havens (PU) 6-3, 6-46. Chuck Perrin (NU) def. David Robinson (PU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-4