By Brian Peloza
Staff Writer

The Purdue men's tennis team will continue a tough part of its schedule when it hosts the 6th ranked Fighting Illini on Sunday. The 1 p.m. match will be played at the Varsity tennis courts, weather permitting.

1999 Big Ten coach of the year, Craig Tilley, leads the Illini, who have a 9-3 record, into West Lafayette. Purdue is 6-6 and is ranked 40th in the country.

Coach Tim Madden is expecting the same kind of play from the Illini that they have displayed in the past.

"They are a team that comes at you with a lot of fire power and a lot of experience," Madden said.

Playing at a high level will be vital for the Boilers to try to come up with a victory.

"We are going to have to be at the top of our game to be competitive with Illinois," Madden said. "We are capable of producing everywhere in the lineup."

The Boilers just finished a tough California road trip, in which they dropped matches to Pepperdine and Southern California.

Those losses, however, have helped the Boilers focus mentally.

"Because of those losses we have become hungrier," said Madden.

Purdue and Illinois met twice last year. Illinois defeated the Boilers to win the Big Ten Tournament last year, 4-1, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Fighting Illini also defeated the Boilers by a 4-3 score in Champaign, Ill., during the regular season.

No. 1 singles player Jason Marshall will be looked upon to continue his strong play.

"We need him to maintain confidence and get a point for us," Madden said. "He won a close match and lost a close match in California for us."