Boiler tennis prepares for conference rivals

Stephanie Young/Senior Photographer CRUSHIN': Senior team captain Lynsey Fick competes against Illinois State Wednesday. The tennis team faces Ohio State at 1 p.m. Saturday and Penn State at 11 a.m. Sunday.

By Andrew Hershberger
Assistant Sports Editor

After beating Illinois State Wednesday, the No. 51 women's tennis team looks to take advantage of two conference foes coming off losses.

At 1 p.m. Saturday the No. 47 Ohio State Buckeyes will visit the Varsity Courts coming off a 7-0 loss to the 17th-ranked team in the nation, Kentucky, Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio. The loss was the first time the Buckeyes were shut out in regular season play since falling to Duke Feb. 9, 2001. Ohio State fell to 16-4 (4-2 Big Ten), and is ranked third in the Big Ten.

The Buckeyes feature three nationally-ranked individuals and a nationally-ranked doubles team this season. Monica Rincon is ranked 53rd at No. 1 singles, Erica Fisk is 51st at No. 2 and Sadhaf Pervez is 117th at No. 3. Rincon and Meaghan Colville combine to form the 36th-ranked doubles team in the nation at No. 1 doubles.

At 11 a.m. Sunday, the Boilermakers host Penn State, the 10th-place team in the Big Ten. The last time the Lady Lions were in action Sunday, they lost to No. 66 Michigan 5-2 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The loss dropped Penn State to 6-9 (1-5 Big Ten).

The 7-9 (3-3 Big Ten) Boilermakers appear to match up favorably with both teams. Throughout the season, Purdue's strength has been its depth, with all six singles spots and three doubles teams contributing big points. Junior Melissa Iqbal has played well at both No. 1 singles and No. 3 doubles. Against Illinois State, No. 122 Iqbal upset No. 80 Liina Suurvarik 6-4, 6-1 in singles action and won 8-1 in doubles.

At the other end of the spectrum, three freshmen anchor the bottom of the lineup. Lara Burgarello, Shawna Zuccarini and Amy Walgenbach play at Nos. 4, 5 and 6 singles, respectively. Burgarello also competes in No. 3 doubles with Iqbal. Against Illinois State, all three won in straight sets.

Those in attendance this weekend will have an opportunity to win visors, gift certificates, T-shirts and water bottles. And on Sunday, the first 25 students through the gate will be entered in a drawing to win a Playstation 2 and free food.

Boilermakers return home to face Northwestern

Softball coach brings positive attitude to field

Boiler tennis prepares for conference rivals

McBride brings energy, strength to track team

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor: Jason Tomcsi

Assistant sports editor:
Andrew Hershberger

To send a letter to the editor, please email sports@purdueexponent.org