April 17, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's tennis team suffered a 4-3 setback to Michigan State on Saturday in West Lafayette. The loss dropped the 58th-ranked Boilermakers to 8-11 overall and 3-5 in the league, while the unranked Spartans improved to 8-10 and 3-4.
The underdog Spartans got on the board first, winning the doubles point behind victories at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions.
Purdue needed four singles victories to win the match, but came up just short. Freshman Hala Sufi did her part, winning 6-2, 7-6 over Keri Thompson at No. 1. Junior Amy Walgenbach held on for a 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 win at No. 3 against Sarah Andrews.
But the only other Boilermaker to post a 'W' was senior Melissa Woods, who defeated Marta Walasek 7-5, 6-0 at No. 6. Senior Gretchen Haynor and junior Shawna Zuccarini lost in straight sets at No. 2 and No. 5, and freshman Alyssa Rodriguez dropped a three-set decision at No. 4 to Pascale Schnitzer.
The Boilermakers have played nine matches this season decided by one point; they are 4-5 in those contests.
Purdue will return to action Sunday, when it plays host to No. 27 Michigan, starting at 11 a.m., at the Varsity Courts.
Michigan State 4, #58 Purdue 3Singles1. Hala Sufi (PU) def. Keri Thompson (MSU) 6-2, 7-62. Caroline Lay (MSU) def. Gretchen Haynor (PU) 6-2, 6-33. Amy Walgenbach (PU) def. Sarah Andrews (MSU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-04. Pascale Schnitzer (MSU) def. Alyssa Rodriguez (PU) 6-4, 6-7, 6-25. Jessica Baron (MSU) def. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) 6-4, 6-46. Melissa Woods (PU) def. Marta Walasek (MSU) 7-5, 6-0- P -
Doubles1. Thomson/ Lay (MSU) def. Haynor/Woods (PU) 8-42. Zuccarini/Sufi (PU) def. Schnitzer/Baron (MSU) 8-33. Andrews/Walasek (MSU) def. Burgarello/Rodriguez (PU) 8-6
Purdue: 8-11 (3-5 Big Ten)Michigan State: 8-10 (3-4 Big Ten)