March 30, 2007
By Jeff Rosa
Purdue Sports Information Student Assistant
WEST LAFAYETTE. Ind. - Purdue's No. 1 doubles team of senior Paul Rose and freshman Branko Kuzmanovic upset the 54th-ranked Northwestern duo of Willy Lock and Matt Christian, but their effort was not enough as the 64th-ranked Wildcats beat Purdue 5-2 Friday night at the Schwartz Tennis Center.
Rose and Kuzmanovic's 8-6 victory was the first of two doubles wins for Purdue as they earned the doubles point for only the second time this month. Sealing the doubles victory was the No. 3 team of freshman Paul Foley and sophomore Griff Nienberg who beat Christian Tempke and Juan Gomez 9-7.
"We've been focusing on doubles for awhile now, and we were rewarded with this victory," said head coach Tim Madden. "I told my guys before the match that their opponents had a number next to their names, so that carried some extra incentive."
Madden also gave praise to his No. 3 doubles combo for finishing the job.
"There was great energy on the court from Griff and Foley. They were proud of themselves for getting it done."
Purdue's success at doubles did not carry over to singles as it's No. 1-4 competitors all lost in straight sets. However, Foley at No. 5 singles was able to hold off Juan Gomez in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. At No. 6 singles senior Scott Warner lost to Alex Sanborn, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6.
"We created some great opportunities, but for some reason it didn't go our way towards the end of each set," said Madden. "We didn't play with the same conviction we had in doubles. We have to mentally work harder when it comes to match play."
The Boilermakers take the court again on Sunday, April 1 against the 50th-ranked Broncos of Western Michigan. The action starts at noon at the Schwartz Tennis Center. The dual between regional rivals will take place outside weather permitting.
#64 Northwestern 5, Purdue 2
Singles competition
1. Willy Lock (NU) def. Branko Kuzmanovic (PUR) 6-4, 6-2
2. #97 Christian Tempke (NU) def. Paul Rose (PUR) 6-4, 6-3
3. Marc Dwyer (NU) def. Eric Hodgman (PUR) 6-2, 7-5
4. Matt Christian (NU) def. Kurt Zaske (PUR) 6-4, 6-4
5. Paul Foley (PUR) def. Juan Gomez (NU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
6. Alex Sanborn (NU) def. Scott Warner (PUR) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Doubles competition
1. Branko Kuzmanovic/Paul Rose (PUR) def. #54 Willy Lock/Matt Christian (NU) 8-6
2. Alex Sanborn/Marc Dwyer (NU) def. Eric Hodgman/Kurt Zaske (PUR) 8-4
3. Paul Foley/Griffin Nienberg (PUR) def. Christian Tempke/Juan Gomez (NU) 9-7
Match Notes:
Northwestern 7-9, 2-2 Big Ten; National ranking #64
Purdue 8-6, 1-3 Big Ten
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,1,3,4,6,5)
T-3:35 A-49