Despite doubles success, tennis team loses to Irish

Boilermakers leave Fighting Irish coach in awe after victory

By Doug Healey
Staff Writer

Although the Purdue men’s tennis team lost 4-3 to No. 26 Notre Dame at the Lafayette Sports Center on Sunday, its doubles play left an impression on Notre Dame coach Bob Bayliss.

"In 32 years as head coach at Notre Dame, we’ve never been absolutely tatooed like that in doubles," said Bayliss.

The Boilers, who have never beaten Notre Dame, received quick victories from all three doubles teams to secure the doubles point and take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The team of Jason Marshall and Dan Swan upset the 14th-ranked team of Aron Talarico and Javier Taborga 8-2. Also scoring doubles victories were the teams of Laith Al-Agba/Carl McCafferty (8-5) and Scott Mayer/Derek Miller (8-3).

"That’s the highest level we have shown all year in doubles," said Purdue coach Tim Madden.

Madden said that doubles exemplifies the way teammates come together.

"I would put our team unity up against anybody," he said.

The Boilers again took the momentum in singles play, as Marshall defeated Casey Smith 6-4, 6-0 in No. 1 singles to give the Boilers a quick 2-0 lead.

"I knew I was going to have to step it up," said Marshall, a two-time Big Ten singles champion.

Marshall said the Boilers' rivalry with Notre Dame is more intense than their feud with traditional rival Indiana. "We had to get off to a good start."

Notre Dame increased its level of play after falling behind early. Brian Farrell defeated Purdue’s Derek Miller 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4. Shortly after, Notre Dame’s Matt Daly defeated Purdue’s Dan Swan 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6.

With the match tied at two, Notre Dame pulled out two three-set matches to clinch the victory. Notre Dame’s Matt Scott defeated Troy Havens 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5. Javier Taborga’s victory over McCafferty 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 2 sealed the victory for the Irish.

With the outcome already decided, Mayer displayed a gutsy performance in his victory 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 over Talarico at No.3. Madden said Mayer dug down and found a way to get the job done.

The loss proved to be very disappointing for the Boilers. Marshall said their lack of experience was the difference.

"Sometimes we drop our level of play below where we want to be," he said.

"It’s very disappointing. We can beat anybody on our home court. We’ve worked so hard and have been looking forward to this match. We’re sick and tired of losing to this team."

Although the Boilers dropped to 4-3 in the spring season, Madden was pleased with his team’s effort.

"Notre Dame is a tough, national-level team we compete hard with and haven’t gotten past," said Madden. "To let it slip away is tough. They fought hard right until the end."

Although it was a heartbreaking defeat, Madden said they can take something positive from the match.

"We can use this to be a better team," said Madden. "There’s no setback today."

On Saturday, the Boilers defeated Ball State 6-1 in Muncie, Ind. They won the doubles point behind an 8-3 victory from Miller/Mayer and a 9-7 come-from-behind victory from Al-Agba/McCafferty.

In singles competition, Purdue got straight-set victories from Marshall (6-4, 6-4), McCafferty (6-4, 6-4), Mayer (7-6, 6-3), Miller (6-2, 6-3) and Havens (7-6, 6-2).

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