Sept. 25, 2006
Complete Fallon Invitational Results in PDF Format
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue men's tennis team completed the Notre Dame/Tom Fallon Invitational on a high note Sunday, winning five-of-six singles matches against in-state rival Ball State.
Boilermakers Branko Kuzmanovic, Eric Hodgman, Jose Fuenmayor, Griff Nienberg and Scott Warner all won in straight sets over their Cardinal opponents. Freshman Paul Foley battled back to win the second set, 6-2, over Jose Perdomo, but lost in heartbreaking fashion in the third frame, 10-7.
The three-day weekend invitational, which also included Western Michigan and the host Fighting Irish, was a series of ups-and-downs for the Boilermakers and head coach Tim Madden.
"We grew up as a team this weekend and I think we got stronger with each day of competition," said Madden. "The team still has some learning to do, but I feel we understand the level of responsibility it takes to be successful in match play."
What was missing until Sunday was a level of mental toughness needed for singles. According to Madden, the team played with heart and energy in doubles, but had trouble duplicating that level of achievement on their own.
Purdue lost two of three doubles matches Friday against Notre Dame, but responded Saturday with two doubles victories each against Western Michigan and Ball State.
The Boilermakers received singles wins from Foley and Hodgman Friday against the Broncos, and later went 3-3 against the Cardinals in their first meeting.
Saturday against Notre Dame, Fuenmayor scored an 8-2 win over Takashi Yoshii to go with his 8-4 doubles triumph with Hodgman over Andrew Roth and Sean Corrigan.
Madden singled out the play of Fuenmayor as the weekend's top highlights.
"Jose is playing at a level far above where he left off last season" said Madden. "His leadership, energy and confidence was contagious among all the other players. I think he'll really come into his own this season, not only for himself, but for the good of the team."
Purdue's next competition is the ITA All-American Championships, which runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8 in Tulsa, Okla. The main draw of this tournament begins Thursday, Oct. 5.