Feb. 29, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team finished off a perfect weekend Sunday at the Lafayette Sports Center defeating North Carolina State 7-0.
The Boilermakers got the momentum started winning the doubles point. At No. 1, sophomore Paul Rose and junior David Robinson were the first winners defeating Shaw and Banada 8-5. At No. 2, junior Sounak Chatterjee and senior Troy Havens outmatched Taylor and Myers 8-4 and at No. 3, sophomore Colin Foster and freshman Filip Koziell finished out the doubles sweep overcoming Davis and Johnson 8-4.
This early lead is something head coach Tim Madden has been emphasizing for years.
"We have continually used the doubles point as a catalyst for energy throughout the match," said coach Madden. "Today was the best example of that all season."
Sweep was the theme for the day as the Boilermakers took every singles match over the Wolfpack. Havens, who suffered the lone defeat of the weekend Saturday against Indiana State, was the first off the court Sunday, defeating Val Banada 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2.
"Troy was the biggest difference for us today," Madden said. "He was an animal on the court."
His lead was shortly followed by Rose at No.1 who defeated Conor Taylor 6-1, 6-2. At No. 5 freshman Jarred Leibner beat Jon Davis 6-4, 6-4 and at No. 6 Eric Hodgman outmatched Will Noblitt 6-3, 6-4.
Chatterjee and Robinson went three sets to produce their victories. Chatterjee at No. 4 overcame Andre Iriarte 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and at No. 3 Robinson came back to defeat Will Shaw 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.
"To win you must outsmart your opponent, not just overpower them. Today we did both," Madden said. "I am proud of our guys for putting in the hard work before the weekend to do just that."
The win puts the Boiler makers at 5-3 heading into the outdoor season, which is set to begin on March 16th in San Diego.
-P-