Nov. 17, 2002
West Lafayette, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team completed its fall campaign on a disappointing note. The Boilermakers competed in seven matches in the second day of the Big Ten Singles Championships, but only won two of the them and forfeited a semifinals match in the consolation round.
After defeating Minnesota's Steve Solberg in the first day, senior Andrew Wakefield advanced to face Indiana's Ryan Recht today. The Boilermaker defeated the Hoosier 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in the Round of 16 match. Wakefield then moved on to face Minnesota's Alex Zharinov in the Quarterfinals, only to find himself beaten by the Golden Gopher in a 6-0, 6-2 upset.
Other than Wakefield's accomplishments this weekend, Coach Tim Madden was not too thrilled with the performance the men's tennis team brought to the tournament this weekend.
"Other than Andrew getting to the Quarterfinals, I can't give you a bright spot," Madden said. "It was the most disappointing tournament of Big Ten Singles Championships since I've been at Purdue."
In the bottom half of the bracket, junior Seth Mckinley advanced to the Quarterfinal round in the consolation bracket. The Boilermaker defeated Mark Wienig of Wisconsin 6-4, 7-5 before forfeiting the Semifinal match to Iowa's Parker Rose.
Although Wakefield demonstrated confidence in his matches this weekend, Madden suspects that the team is going to need more than senior leadership from Wakfield to be successful in the spring.
"It's been a nice accomplishment for a senior, but I think more than his senior leadership is going to be needed if we might have any success in the conference this year," Madden said. "Hopefully we can get some of teh younger guys picking it up and playing with some confidence.
The Boilermakers will continue their 2002-03 season when it opens up the spring campaign in West Lafayette on February 2 against Butler. Play is expected to begin at 11 a.m.
-P-
Top 1-6 Singles
Round16 (9)Wakefield (P)def. Ryan Recht (IU) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3Quarterfinals (2)Alex Zharinov (MN) def. Wakefield (P) 6-0, 6-2
Consolation
Round2 Mark Barry (PSU) def. Rose (P) 6-4, 4-6, 6-22 Kevin Mclean (OSU) def. Robinson (P) 7-6, 6-13 Pete Rose (IA) def. Havens (P) 1-6, 6-2, 7-5
Top 7-8 Singles
Consolation
RoundQuarterfinals Seth McKinley (P) def. Mark Weinig (WI) 6-4, 7-5Semifinals Parker Ross (IA) def. Seth McKinley (P) Wo(inj.)