April 6, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's tennis team defeated Penn State 5-2, today.
The Boilermakers ended the weekend with an 8-9 overall record, and 3-3 in the Big Ten. The Lady Lions drop to 7-9 overall, and 2-4 in the conference.
Purdue head coach Mat Iandolo was
"This weekend puts us back in the race for the Big Ten tournament," Iandolo said. "This was a difficult match because it's tougher to play as the favorite. I was scared of a letdown, but we came out today and won the doubles point."
Purdue swept the doubles competition for the point.
At the No. 1 spot, senior Missy Wright and sophomore Lara Burgarello upended the duo of Leigh Ann Merryman and Maaria Husain 8-2. Junior Melissa Woods and sophomore Shawna Zuccarini defeated the tandem of Megan Marton and Judy Wang 8-6 at the No. 2 spot. Junior Gretchen Haynor and senior Melissa Iqbal defeated the combo of Sarah Spence and Lindsay Downing 8-2 in third position.
In the singles competition, Burgarello defeated April Uy 6-0, 6-2 in sixth position. Zuccarini turned in the third point for the Boilermakers at the No. 4 spot after upending Wang 6-0, 6-2.
Tri-captain Iqbal clinched the match at the No. 3 spot after serving Husain a 6-4, 6-3 loss.
"It feels really good to win both matches at home this weekend," Iqbal said. "My recovery is going well and I'm excited about finishing out my last season on the courts."
Penn State scored its first point at the No. 5 spot when Wright fell 6-4, 6-4 to Downing.
"Lindsay and I matched up really well," Wright said. "I just didn't execute on high points, but I'll get it next time. Overall, we're looking really good and yesterday's win gives us more and more confidence."
At the No. 2 spot, Walgenbach won a marathon match. Walgenbach won the first set and was up 4-1 in the second before losing 5-7 to Merryman. She came back to win the third set 6-4, for the match point. Walgenbach is 5-1 in the Big Ten.
Penn State won its second point at the No. 1 spot in the tiebreaker.
Purdue will host its last non-conference match against No. 53 LSU on Wednesday, April 9 at 1 p.m.
#60 Purdue 5, Penn State 2
Singles1. Megan Marton (PSU) def. Gretchen Haynor (PU) 7-5, 6-4 (10-8)
2. Amy Walgenbach (PU) def. Leigh Ann Merryman (PSU) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
3. Melissa Iqbal (PU) def. Maaria Husain (PSU) 6-4, 6-3
4. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) def. Judy Wang (PSU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Lindsay Downing (PSU) def. Missy Wright (PU) 6-4, 6-4
6. Lara Burgarello (PU) def. April Uy (PSU) 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
1. Wright/Burgarello (PU) def. Merryman/Husain (PSU) 8-2
2. Melissa Woods/Zuccarini (PU) def. Marton/Wang (PSU) 8-6
3. Haynor/Iqbal (PU) def. Sarah Spence/Downing (PSU) 8-2