March 23, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team evened its Big Ten record at 1-1 today in a much needed win against Iowa at the Lafayette Sports Center. The Boilermakers (5-7, 1-1 Big Ten) swept the Hawkeyes (8-4, 0-1 Big Ten) in doubles play to win the team point and won three of six singles matches to capture the 4-3 team victory.
Junior Carl McCafferty and sophomore Seth McKinley played together for the first time this season and won their debut match against Iowa's Peter Mandic and Pete Rose. The No. 3 duo won 8-3 at No. 3.
"I'll give Seth credit for taking care of himself in practice, for continuing to work hard and for being ready to go," coach Tim Madden said. "He and Carl looked like they've been playing doubles for quite awhile."
McKinley also took pride in his efforts and applauded his team chemistry with McCafferty.
"I thought it was good," McKinley said. "Carl was very solid, and I thought we played really well together. Hopefully we can do the same tomorrow."
After winning all three doubles matches to take the point, Purdue took advantage of big-point opportunities in singles. Unfortunately, the Boilermakers won only half of the singles matches. But that was enough.
At No. 1 singles, junior Scott Mayer defeated the Hawkeyes' Stuart Waters 6-3, 7-3. McCafferty brought his doubles play into singles action and culminated his day with a 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Peter Mandic at No. 3. Purdue sophomore Troy Havens closed out the Boilermaker victories with a 6-4, 6-4 win against Justin Gaard at No. 5.
"Today, Troy, Scott and Carl were in the fight consistently," Madden said. "But we're going to need all six singles to stay in the fight tomorrow against Indiana State."
In other doubles action, Mayer and senior Dan Swan defeated Waters and Gaard 8-4 at No. 1. Senior Derek Miller teamed up with junior Andrew Wakefield to capture a 9-8 victory against Jake Wilson and Hunter Skogman at No. 2.
The Boilermakers will host No. 32 Indiana State on March 24 at the Lafayette Sports Center. The match is scheduled to start at noon.
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