Boilers snap losing streak

After losing nine matches in row, the Purdue women's tennis team finally won one Saturday against Penn State, narrowly defeating the Nittany Lions 4-3 in State College, Pa.

However, the Boilers returned to losing Sunday, dropping a 5-2 decision to Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

The Penn State win was Purdue's first since a 5-2 victory over Southern Methodist March 3. Purdue (4-14, 1-7 Big Ten) had lost 12 of 13 matches coming into the Penn State match.

It had been 363 days since the Boilers had beaten a conference opponent during the regular season. Purdue vs. Penn State, 5-2, April 16. The Boilers also beat the Nittany Lions 4-1 during last season's Big Ten tournament at the end of April.

On Saturday, the Boilermakers earned the doubles point by winning two of the three matches.

Lynsey Fick and Melissa Iqbal defeated Judy Wang and Janelle Perez 8-4 at the No. 2 position. Gretchen Haynor and Erika Quebe partnered at the No. 3 spot to defeat Teresa Whiteside and Leigh Ann Merryman 9-7.

The success carried over for Purdue into singles action. Haynor defeated Wang 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 3 spot.

Melissa Woods picked up a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory over Perez at No. 4. To close out the match with a win, Lisa Walgenbach beat Merryman 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6.

The Penn State match went quickly, compared to the five-hour affair that took place between the Boilers and Buckeyes in Jesse Owens Arena Sunday.

Kristy Dascoli, the reigning Big Ten player of the year, dominated Quebe en route to a 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles. She is now two wins away from becoming the first female tennis player to attain 100 wins.

Purdue's two singles wins were by Iqbal, who beat Monica Rincon 6-3, 7-6 at No. 2, and Woods, who beat Erica Fisk 6-3, 7-6 at No. 4.

The Buckeyes won two of the three doubles matches to claim the doubles point. At No. 1, Dascoli and Rincon beat Woods and Missy Wright 8-2. Perez and Maloney picked up their team-best 16th dual match victory by beating Iqbal and Fick at No. 2.

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Purdue goes 1-1 over weekend

Boilers snap losing streak

Purdue reels in Old Minnow Bucket

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

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