By Brian Peloza
Staff Writer

The loss by the Purdue men’s tennis team to Ohio State on Sunday was hard for Coach Tim Madden to accept.

"The hard part for me to accept is that we were simply out-competed," Madden said. "We're going to need to do more than just think we can come out here and be enthusiastic."

Although the Boilers (10-9 overall, 6-3 Big Ten) lost to Ohio State (11-8, 5-3) 4-3 Sunday, on Saturday Purdue defeated Penn State 4-3. Both matches took place at the Varsity Tennis Courts.

Madden said one problem for the Boilers is the lack of production from certain parts in the lineup.

"I feel we are just giving away points with guys not coming ready to compete from start to finish," Madden said.

Although Madden is displeased with the lack of production in certain parts of the lineup, he said the same players keep "getting it done" for the Boilers.

Two players Madden is pleased with are Jason Marshall and Scott Mayer.

Marshall, a junior, won two convincing victories at the No. 1 singles position. Against Ohio State, Marshall defeated Andrew Carlson 6-1, 6-2. And he defeated his Penn State opponent Saturday, 6-2, 6-0.

Mayer, a freshman, also won his two matches this weekend. He overcame a slow start vs. Ohio State, at the No. 5 singles position, to defeat Derek DeFalco 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. The play exhibited by Mayer is something that Madden has come to expect from the No. 5 slot.

"Scott Mayer battles hard and gets another win — very successful season for us at No. 5 singles," said Madden.

The two victories this weekend by Mayer improved his record to 13-6.

Madden said the imbalance in production has caused the outcomes of matches to come down to one position. This weekend that position was the No. 2 singles slot played by Derek Miller.

Against Penn State, Miller came up with the match — clinching a three set victory. He defeated Jeff Martini of Penn State 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

But against Ohio State, Miller lost to Chris Porter 6-7, 4-6.

"(Saturday) he found a way to get the job done," Madden said. "(Sunday) he lost to a better player — simple as that."

Another Boiler coming back from losing his first set against Ohio State to earn a victory was Carl McCafferty. The freshman defeated Vincent Ng 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. McCafferty now has an 8-7 singles record for the dual match season.

The loss on Sunday may have cost the Boilers a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilers will need to pull off an upset on the road against Minnesota to possibly achieve that.

"It is going to come down to getting it done in practice this week if we want to accomplish that," said Madden.