March 3, 2007
WEST LAFAYTTE, Ind. - No. 33 Purdue (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) won its first dual of the season over a top-30 opponent, defeating No. 29 Virginia 4-3 on the road in Charlottesville Saturday afternoon. The Boilermakers' last win against a nationally ranked opponent was against No. 71 Western Michigan, 7-0, on Feb. 13.
"This was a huge win for us on the road," said Boilermaker head coach Mat Iandolo. "The young women on this team worked very hard for this victory and I'm very proud of them."
Junior Brooke Beier added, "This was a great win for the whole team against a tough opponent. We received a great effort from everyone."
Purdue began the dual by winning the doubles point for a fourth-consecutive match. The Boilermakers are 6-0 when winning the doubles point this season.
The Boilermakers' 29th nationally-ranked doubles combo of Mallory Voelker and Beier beat Virginia's Caroline Hammond and Lara Alexander 8-6 at the No. 1 position. Neela Vaez and Cigdem Duru followed up with an 8-4 triumph at No. 2 over Maggie Yahner and Brintney Larson.
Iandolo said he likes what he's seeing from doubles tandems.
"I love getting double winners. Cigdem's experience has really had a positive effect on Neela, she knows how to keep her focused. I feel good about where they can go as a team."
Beier and Voelker's record together this spring improved to 8-1. Their lone loss was a 9-7 decision to the nation's No. 1 doubles team of William & Mary's Megan Moulton-Levy and Katarina Zoricic.
"I think Mallory and I are playing at the top of our game," said Beier. "We have a lot of trust and confidence in each other's games, especially in these close matches."
Voelker defeated Jennifer Stevens in straight sets at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-3 for her seventh win of the spring and fifth at the top position.
Beier, who usually plays at No. 2 singles, dropped back to the No. 3 spot for the second time this season and came away with a three-set win over Maggie Yahner, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Beier is 8-1 this spring, including a 4-1 record at No. 2 and 2-0 mark at No. 3.
Beier's victory clinched the dual for Purdue.
Vaez' win came at the No. 4 spot over Hammond, 6-4, 6-3. Vaez improved to 9-2 this spring as the Boilermakers remain undefeated at No. 4 singles with an 8-0 record.
Purdue continues its trek through the "Old Dominion State" Sunday with an 11 a.m. dual at No. 68 Virginia Tech.
No. 33 Purdue 4, No. 29 Virginia 3
Doubles
#1. No. 28 Beier/Voelker (Pur) def. Alexander/Hammond (UVa) 8-6
#2. Vaez/Duru (Pur) def. Larson/Yahner (UVa) 8-4
#3. Stevens/Rales (UVa) def. Schuler/Dzeva (Pur) 8-4
Singles
#1. Mallory Voelker (Pur) def. Jennifer Stevens (UVa) 6-4, 6-3
#2. Brintney Larson (UVa) def. Randi Schuler (Pur) 6-4, 6-3
#3. Brooke Beier (Pur) def. Maggie Yahner (UVa) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
#4. Neela Vaez (Pur) def. Lindsey Pereira (UVa) 6-4, 6-3
#5. Caroline Hammond (UVa) def. Cigdem Duru (Pur) 7-5, 6-3
#6. Amanda Rales (UVa) def. Anna Dzeva (Pur) 7-6, 6-2