April 15, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Sometimes the game is designed to break your heart and that was no more evident than at the Schwartz Tennis Center Sunday afternoon as the hometown Boilermakers (11-7, 4-4 Big Ten) dropped a 4-3 decision to Indiana (17-5, 7-1 Big Ten).
The dual was decided at No. 6 singles as Lindsey Stuckey came back from a set down to beat Lauren Shumate, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. But it would be unfair to pin this entire defeat on the shoulders of one freshman who just joined the team in January.
Purdue began the match by dropping the doubles point in stomach-punch fashion. At No. 1 doubles, the 45th-ranked duo of Brooke Beier and Mallory Voelker blew a 6-2 lead as Hoosiers Alba Berdalla and Laura McGaffigan won the set's last six points to win 8-6.
While the No. 1's were losing their lead, the No. 2 tandem of Neela Vaez and Cigdem Duru was fighting back against IU's Cecile Perton and Sigrid Fischer and claimed five of the last six points to win 8-5.
Anna Dzeva and Alejandra Boeker lost the first doubles match at No. 3 to Brianna Williams and Erin Clark 8-2.
Purdue won the first three singles matches in convincing fashion as Vaez, Duru and Dzeva all won in straight sets. Duru beat Brianna Williams for her 60th career victory, 6-3, 6-1 and Dzeva followed with a 6-4, 6-0 triumph over Perton. Vaez gave Purdue a 3-1 lead after topping Fischer at No. 4 singles, 6-3, 6-1.
The lead soon disappeared as Mallory Voelker lost a one-set advantage at No. 1 over Berdalla, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, then Brooke Beier at No. 2 lost her grip on 5-0 second-set lead against McGaffigan and fell 6-3, 7-6 (5).
In spite of the ultra-difficult loss, head coach Mat Iandolo was proud of the way the team competed.
"I think we took steps in the right direction from yesterday's loss to Ohio State - we competed ,but it's still a tough way to lose," said Iandolo. "We responded well from that loss, but I'm sorry that we couldn't pull out a victory today."
Purdue concludes its 2007 regular season next weekend with duals at Big Ten rivals Iowa and Minnesota.
#33 Indiana 4, #45 Purdue University 3
Singles competition
1. Alba Berdala (IND) def. Mallory Voelker (PUR) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
2. Laura McGaffigan (IND) def. Brooke Beier (PUR) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
3. Neela Vaez (PUR) def. Sigrid Fischer (IND) 6-3, 6-1
4. Cigdem Duru (PUR) def. Brianna Williams (IND) 6-3, 6-1
5. Anna Dzeva (PUR) def. Cecile Perton (IND) 6-4, 6-0
6. Lindsey Stuckey (IND) def. Lauren Shumate (PUR) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. Alba Berdala/Laura McGaffigan (IND) def. #45 Brooke Beier/Mallory Voelker (PUR) 8-6
2. Neela Vaez/Cigdem Duru (PUR) def. Cecile Perton/Sigrid Fischer (IND) 8-5
3. Brianna Williams/Erin Clark (IND) def. Anna Dzeva/Alejandra Boeker (PUR) 8-2
Match Notes
Indiana 17-5, 7-1 Big Ten; National ranking #33
Purdue University 11-7, 4-4 Big Ten; National ranking #45
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (4,5,3,1,2,6)
T-3:37 A-36