April 20, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team picked up a much-needed win over conference rival Michigan State today at the Varsity Tennis Courts. The 5-2 victory evens the Boilermakers' overall record to 10-10 and improves their Big Ten record to 5-4.
Coach Tim Madden believes that the win over the Spartans will bring them confidence for tomorrow's regular-season finale against No. 37 Michigan.
"Michigan State is a very tough team, but Michigan is better," Madden said. "They are ranked ahead of us, and a team ranked in the 30s would be a huge win. Playing at home with the confidence we have after today should make it a fun day tomorrow."
The Boilermakers' doubles point came in dramatic fashion. Purdue senior Laith Al-Agba and junior Carl McCafferty opened up the match by winning 8-6 at the No. 2 doubles spot against Michigan State's Mike Jonkheere and Goran Topalo. With Purdue in the advantageous position, the Spartans' Chris Mitchell and Andy Formancyzk capitalized at No. 3 and defeated senior Derek Miller and sophomore Seth McKinley 8-3. The doubles match came down to senior Dan Swan and Scott Mayer at No. 1. Against Adam Hourani and Jimmy McGuire, the Boilermaker duo pulled through with an 8-6 victory to lift the Boilermakers to a 1-0 lead heading into singles.
Madden believes that securing the doubles point had given the Boilermakers an extra boost heading into singles.
"It's amazing how one point (doubles) can give you a feeling of confidence going into singles, especially in matches like this when it's a point here or there and can go either way," Madden said.
The Boilermakers continued to find ways to win in the singles portion by claiming the No. 5 and 6 spots. Al-Agba initiated the singles victories for the Boilermakers, defeating Cameron Marshall 6-1, 6-4 at No. 3. Sophomore Troy Havens joined his teammate in the winning pool by beating Eric Simonton 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6.
Needing just one more victory in the four remaining matches, Purdue began to lose its opportunities as the Spartans won the next two at No. 2 and 3. The last two men standing were Purdue's Mayer at No. 1 and junior Andrew Wakefield at No. 4.
Down a break in the third, Wakefield became the Boilermakers' strongman and clinched the win for Purdue by defeating McGuire in a three-set match at No. 4. Wakefield lost the first set 6-3 before delivering a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 come-from-behind victory. Mayer closed out the match by beating Chris Mitchell 2-6, 7-5, 3-0 at No. 1.
Wakefield was proud of his effort in finding a way to compete from start to finish.
"It was cold and I was playing like I was cold," Wakefield said. "I made a few mistakes, but I just needed to keep it going and to keep focused. It was a close match, but I just managed to get it done."
Purdue will conclude its regular season with a match against the Wolverines tomorrow, April 21 at the Varsity Tennis Courts. The match is slated to begin at noon.
"Michigan is a very talented team and they have the potential to beat teams that are as good as they are," Wakefield said. "So hopefully we'll get on top of them early and make them nervous."
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