WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – There's a new all-time wins leader in Purdue women's tennis history. Head coach Laura Glitz picked up her 156th victory at the helm of the Boilermakers on Friday afternoon against Minnesota 4-3 to become the winningest coach in program history.
Glitz joined the Boilermakers ahead of the 2007-08 campaign and raised the program to unmatched heights. Under her guidance, Purdue has won an average of more than 12 matches per season. Glitz has taken the Boilermakers to 51 wins against ITA-ranked opponents.
The Boilermakers have taken strides in the postseason with four NCAA Tournament appearances, matching the tournament bids in the previous 32 seasons of the program. In 2013, the Boilermakers reached the second round for just the second time in program history.
Glitz has mentored 10 All-Big Ten selections, two NCAA Doubles Tournament selections and one NCAA Singles Tournament competitor. In the classroom, Glitz's Boilermakers have earned 47 Academic All-Big Ten distinctions, 28 ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, five ITA Academic Team awards and public recognition from the NCAA in 2016.
As for the match, the record-breaking performance came down to a suspenseful third-set tiebreaker that left everyone on the edge of their seats.
The Boilermakers started off strong in doubles play, taking an early 1-0 lead. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin and Zala Dovnik took the match at No. 2, defeating Ekin Ercetin and River Hart of Minnesota 6-4. Seira Shimizu and Zeynep Naz Ozturk dominated the match at No. 3 in their first match as a pairing this season, beating Zeyneb Sarioglan and Juilet Zhang 6-0. Ena Babic and Csilla Fodor were fighting back from a 5-4 deficit when their match was halted.
After Purdue dropped the match at No. 5, Csilla Fodor dominated the match at No. 2 in straight sets against Ekin Ercetin 6-2, 6-3. Minnestoa tied it back up at 2 apiece with a win at No. 6.
The matches at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 all went to third set to decide the victor. Zala Dovnik was the first of the three to finish, defeating Dalila Said at No. 3 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The Slovenia native registered her first win at No. 3 on the season.
Seira Shimizu lost a tough match at No. 4 after sending it to three sets against River Hart 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, leaving the deciding point up for grabs at No. 1.
After losing the first set, Ena Babic dominated the second set. Down 5-3 in the third, the senior showed her grit to force a tiebreaker with the match score now tied at 3. The senior came out victorious 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) against Rachel Hanford, clinching the win for the Boilermakers.
Purdue will look to continue the success against Wisconsin on Sunday. Opening serve is scheduled for noon.
PURDUE (3-5, 3-5) – 4, MINNESOTA (2-6, 2-6) – 3
SINGLES
1. Ena Babic (PUR) def. Rachel Hanford (MINN) – 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)
2. Csilla Fodor (PUR) def. Ekin Ercetin (MINN) – 6-2, 6-3
3. Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Dalila Said (MINN) – 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. River Hart (MINN) def. Seira Shimizu (PUR) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Zeyneb Sarioglan (MINN) def. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin (PUR) – 6-1, 6-3
6. Juilet Zhang (MINN) def. Zeynep Naz Ozturk (PUR) – 6-0, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. Dalila Said/Rachel Hanford (MINN) vs. Ena Babic/Csilla Fodor (PUR) – 5-4, unfinished
2. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin/Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Ekin Ercetin/River Hart (MINN) – 6-4
3. Seira Shimizu/Zeynep Naz Ozturk (PUR) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan/Juilet Zhang (MINN) – 6-0
Order of Finish
Singles: 5,2,6,3,4,1
Doubles: 3,2
FOLLOW ALONG
For all the latest scores, stats and stories surrounding Purdue Women's Tennis, follow the team on Facebook (/PurdueWomensTennis), Twitter (@PurdueWTennis) and Instagram (@PurdueWTennis).
Glitz joined the Boilermakers ahead of the 2007-08 campaign and raised the program to unmatched heights. Under her guidance, Purdue has won an average of more than 12 matches per season. Glitz has taken the Boilermakers to 51 wins against ITA-ranked opponents.
The Boilermakers have taken strides in the postseason with four NCAA Tournament appearances, matching the tournament bids in the previous 32 seasons of the program. In 2013, the Boilermakers reached the second round for just the second time in program history.
Glitz has mentored 10 All-Big Ten selections, two NCAA Doubles Tournament selections and one NCAA Singles Tournament competitor. In the classroom, Glitz's Boilermakers have earned 47 Academic All-Big Ten distinctions, 28 ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, five ITA Academic Team awards and public recognition from the NCAA in 2016.
As for the match, the record-breaking performance came down to a suspenseful third-set tiebreaker that left everyone on the edge of their seats.
The Boilermakers started off strong in doubles play, taking an early 1-0 lead. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin and Zala Dovnik took the match at No. 2, defeating Ekin Ercetin and River Hart of Minnesota 6-4. Seira Shimizu and Zeynep Naz Ozturk dominated the match at No. 3 in their first match as a pairing this season, beating Zeyneb Sarioglan and Juilet Zhang 6-0. Ena Babic and Csilla Fodor were fighting back from a 5-4 deficit when their match was halted.
After Purdue dropped the match at No. 5, Csilla Fodor dominated the match at No. 2 in straight sets against Ekin Ercetin 6-2, 6-3. Minnestoa tied it back up at 2 apiece with a win at No. 6.
The matches at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 all went to third set to decide the victor. Zala Dovnik was the first of the three to finish, defeating Dalila Said at No. 3 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The Slovenia native registered her first win at No. 3 on the season.
Seira Shimizu lost a tough match at No. 4 after sending it to three sets against River Hart 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, leaving the deciding point up for grabs at No. 1.
After losing the first set, Ena Babic dominated the second set. Down 5-3 in the third, the senior showed her grit to force a tiebreaker with the match score now tied at 3. The senior came out victorious 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) against Rachel Hanford, clinching the win for the Boilermakers.
Purdue will look to continue the success against Wisconsin on Sunday. Opening serve is scheduled for noon.
PURDUE (3-5, 3-5) – 4, MINNESOTA (2-6, 2-6) – 3
SINGLES
1. Ena Babic (PUR) def. Rachel Hanford (MINN) – 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4)
2. Csilla Fodor (PUR) def. Ekin Ercetin (MINN) – 6-2, 6-3
3. Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Dalila Said (MINN) – 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
4. River Hart (MINN) def. Seira Shimizu (PUR) – 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Zeyneb Sarioglan (MINN) def. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin (PUR) – 6-1, 6-3
6. Juilet Zhang (MINN) def. Zeynep Naz Ozturk (PUR) – 6-0, 6-3
DOUBLES
1. Dalila Said/Rachel Hanford (MINN) vs. Ena Babic/Csilla Fodor (PUR) – 5-4, unfinished
2. Nathalia Wolf Gasparin/Zala Dovnik (PUR) def. Ekin Ercetin/River Hart (MINN) – 6-4
3. Seira Shimizu/Zeynep Naz Ozturk (PUR) def. Zeyneb Sarioglan/Juilet Zhang (MINN) – 6-0
Order of Finish
Singles: 5,2,6,3,4,1
Doubles: 3,2
FOLLOW ALONG
For all the latest scores, stats and stories surrounding Purdue Women's Tennis, follow the team on Facebook (/PurdueWomensTennis), Twitter (@PurdueWTennis) and Instagram (@PurdueWTennis).