Feb. 17, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Brothers Paul and P.J. Rose played a major role in a Purdue victory for a second-straight day. They first combined for a win at No. 3 doubles vs. Toledo on Friday, then got the job done on the singles court Saturday as Purdue beat Marquette 5-2.
The elder Rose, senior Paul, picked up his first win of the dual season at No. 1, beating Trent Hagen in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 6-3. P.J., in his first dual singles match of the year, ripped Greg Sirotek in straight sets at No. 6, 6-2, 6-0.
The Boilermakers had their hands full with the Golden Eagles from the very start as Marquette won two of three singles, marking the first time this season Purdue dropped the doubles point.
"It was a gritty performance by our team today," said head coach Tim Madden. "We were challenged by Marquette in a big way. They really came after us but we responded accordingly."
The Old Gold and Black came through in singles with five wins, but three of those went to an extra set. In addition to Rose's win at No. 1, senior Eric Hodgman won at No. 3 over Mark Rutherford, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, and Paul Foley defeated Niko Boulieris at No. 5, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.
Freshman Branko Kuzmanovic had a relatively easier afternoon on the court. He first teamed with Foley at No. 2 doubles to beat Hagan and Pete Van Lieshout, 8-3, then quickly disposed of Stephen Shao at No. 2 singles, 6-1, 6-2.
Since beginning the spring with three losses at the Boilermaker Invitational, Kuzmanovic is 3-0 in dual play at the No. 2 spot. The Foley/Kuzmanovic combination also is 3-0 in duals and 5-1 through the spring season.