Jan. 27, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - No. 49 Purdue (1-1) dropped a 6-1 decision at No. 22 Tennessee Sunday at the Knoxville Racquet Club.
The Lady Vols won five of six singles and two of three doubles as they improved to 4-0.
Stephanie Wooten provided Purdue's lone point with her comeback 6-3, 6-7 (4), 10-8 win over Samantha Orlin at No. 3 singles.
Wooten jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the super tiebreak but Orlin fought back to take 6-5 and 8-6 leads. With her back against the wall, Wooten responded by winning the final four points.
"Stephanie's been playing some great tennis," said head coach Laura Glitz. "She came out in that third set just crushing the girl, but then had to really tough it out. It was an awesome match."
Brooke Beier captured the first set from Caitlin Whoriskey 6-3 at No. 1 singles, but lost the next two by scores of 6-0 and 10-2.
Glitz believed Whoriskey's win was a reflection of Tennessee's overall depth and aggressiveness.
"Tennessee is just a tough team and are good at each spot," said Glitz. "Brooke played real well in that first set and was real loose, but her opponent just stepped it up and did whatever it took to get back into the match."
Freshman Joanna Craven and junior Anna Dzeva prevented a UT doubles sweep, beating Jennifer Meredith and Orlin 8-7 (5) at the No. 3 spot.
Purdue remains on the road next weekend with a visit to Clemson on Feb. 2. The Boilermakers' home opener is scheduled for Feb. 12 vs. Western Michigan.