March 23, 2012
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The No. 27 Purdue women's tennis team improved to 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference on Friday as the Boilermakers knocked off Ohio State on the road, 4-3.
Showers and lightning did not stop the Boilers from continuing to make a statement in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue (10-1, 2-0 Big Ten) set the tone early against the Buckeyes as the ladies were able to take the doubles point. That didn't stop Ohio State though, as the match came down to a single point, with the fate of the meet being in the conclusion of the last match.
In doubles, at No. 2, the Purdue juniors started off with a struggle for the team. Imogen Golder and Gisella Pere fell to Fidan Manashirova and Gabby Steele, 3-8. Lynda Xepoleas and Daniela Vidal were able to come back for the Boilermakers and beat Kelsey Haviland and Kelsey Becker at No. 3. The freshmen won with a score of 8-4. Jennifer Rabot and Mara Schmidt clinched the doubles point with a win at No. 1 to knock off Kara Cecil and Kelsey Dieters from Ohio State, 8-5. The teams played the doubles matches outdoors, but due to weather conditions, they moved inside to continue the single matches for the meet.
Ohio State (5-10, 0-2) powered through during singles to try and take the lead, but it was Rabot at No. 1 who helped the Boilers take the win. At No. 6, Pere was able to defeat Tiffany Dittmer with a 6-3, 6-1 score. Ohio State took over the match, winning the next three at No. 2 against Xepoleas with a 6-7, 2-6 defeat. Xepoleas match was followed by Schmidt at No. 3, who lost a tough one to Manashirova with a score of 3-6, 5-7. The Buckeyes earned their final point of the match against Golder at No. 5 with a score of 6-7, 4-6. Vidal tied the score up for Purdue with an exciting match against Steele ending as 7-6, 6-4. It was a nail-biting meet until the end. When the clinch match was left in Rabot hand's, she delivered with a 3-set match of 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.
The Boilermakers are on the road against #46 Penn State this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET as they continue in the Big Ten Conference.