Feb. 10, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (3-3) lost another close road game Sunday, dropping a 4-3 decision to Arkansas. The Boilermakers' three points were scored by Slavko Bijelica, Griff Nienberg and Paul Foley at the No. 2, 5 and 6 positions.
Purdue remains winless on the road (0-3), but are unbeaten at home (3-0) with matches against Maryland and Toledo coming up this Saturday and Sunday.
And of the Boilermakers' three road defeats, two of them have been by one point.
But this one really had to sting.
"It was a tough day," Purdue head coach Tim Madden said. "We've played in some very close matches as of late but haven't been able to get it done in the end. Part of the problem is doubles. It doesn't help the team's energy when you enter singles knowing you have to win four of six."
The doubles point was decided at the No. 3 spot where Nienberg and Jose Fuenmayor lost on a tiebreak, 9-8 (3), to Matt Hogan and Tyler Tarnasky. Then, in singles, reliables P.J. Rose and Eric Ramos - a combined 12-3 this spring - both lost in straight sets.
Ramos fell 7-5, 6-4 to Hogan at No. 4. Chris Nott came back from a set down against Rose and clinch the match at No. 3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
"The team has to start thinking how important those moments are before match point or a tiebreak," Madden said. "We had opportunities to break through in singles and doubles, but they just came up with some very big shots."
Nienberg secured the Boilermakers' first point with a 7-6(1), 7-5 victory over Dmitry Lebedev at No. 5. The junior's win was his third-straight and raised his spring record to 5-3.
Both Bijelica and Foley fought back to overcome first-set deficits and kept Arkansas from posting a one-sided victory.
Bijelia at No. 2 singles upended Colin Mascall 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-4 while Foley at No. 6 took down Tarnasky 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 to snap a two-match losing streak.
Purdue's matches with the Terps and Rockets both start at 1 p.m. Admission to all regular season varsity duals at the Schwartz Tennis Center is free.
The women play host to Western Michigan this coming Tuesday at 1 p.m.