Feb. 1, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's tennis team fell to 11th-ranked Tennessee, today.
Head coach Mat Iandolo feels that the team now has the confidence to compete with anyone.
"We understand we have the talent this year to compete with everybody in the country," Iandolo said. "We are striving to put everything together with each match."
In doubles, sophomores Lara Burgarello and Shawna Zuccarini defeated Tennessee's Majen Immink and Crystal Cleveland 8-2 at the No. 3 spot, but the Boilermakers lost the No. 1 and 2 doubles spot.
Heading into singles with the Lady Vols up by one, Purdue had to turn the match around for a victory.
Tennessee turned in another point when senior Melissa Iqbal fell to 4th-ranked Vilmarie Castellvi 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 1 singles spot.
The Boilermakers scored their first point after Zuccarini defeated Melissa Schaub.
Zuccarini won the first set 6-4, but lost the second 4-6. The third set began with Zuccarini leading 3-0 then they were tied 3-3. Zuccarini finally won the match with a 6-4 third set score.
"Shawna has come a long way," Iandolo said. "She is a very talented ball striker and is proving that she can play with anyone out there on a given day."
Sophomore Amy Walgenbach turned in the second point for the Boilermakers after upending Crystal Cleveland 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 at the No. 5 spot.
At the fourth position, Burgarello fell 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 to Breanna Kray, giving Tennessee a 3-2 lead.
Junior Gretchen Haynor lost a marathon match to Tammy Encina at the No. 2 spot. The Lady Vols clinched the match giving the Boilermakers their first lost for the spring season.
The Purdue women's tennis team will travel to Western Michigan on Tuesday, Feb. 4 for their first away match. The Boilermakers will not host another competition until March 8 against Depaul.
Purdue 2, Tennessee 5
Singles
1. #4 Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def. Melissa Iqbal (PU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Tammy Encina (UT) def. Gretchen Haynor (PU) 4-6, 6-7, 7-6 (-4)
3. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) def. Melissa Schaub (UT) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4
4. Breanna Kray (UT) def. Lara Burgarello (PU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Amy Walgenbach (PU) def. Crystal Cleveland (UT) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
6. Ashley Robards (UT) def. Missy Wright (PU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Doubles
1. #22 Castellvi/Schaub (UT) def. #57 Haynor/Wright (PU) 8-6
2. Kray/Encina (UT) def. Iqbal/Woods (PU) 8-6
3. Burgarello/Zuccarini (PU) def. Immink/Cleveland (PU) 8-2