March 17, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's tennis team began to turn the corner with an impressive performance against fourth-ranked California in Berkeley today. Despite a 6-3 loss to the Bears (10-0, 6-0 Pac-10), the 47th-ranked Boilermakers put together quite possibly their best effort of the season and scored two major upsets in the process.
"The team felt really good about how they did today," Purdue coach Mat Iandolo said. "How we played against the fourth-ranked team in the country really makes us feel good about our chances as we move throughout the rest of the year."
The first upset of the day was delivered by Purdue's Shannon Taheny. The junior co-captain rallied from a set down to defeat 43rd-ranked Francesca La'O 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3, handing La'O her first loss of the season.
"That was the best win of Shannon's life," Iandolo said. "She showed true grit coming back from being down a set against a great player on her home court."
The second upset was turned in by the doubles team of junior co-captain Jennifer Embry and freshman Missy Wright. Embry and Wright, ranked 49th in the nation, staged a monumental coup by defeating the nation's third-ranked and the defending NCAA champion doubles team of Amanda Augustus and Amy Jensen 8-3.
"That was a big, big win for Jennifer and Missy," Purdue coach Mat Iandolo said. "It is probably the biggest doubles win in the history of our program."
Also providing a victory for the Boilers was senior Laura Avgerinos. Like Taheny, Avgerinos rallied from a set down to knock off Jenny Lee 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 6.
"We've been looking for that kind of production from our sixth spot and Laura delivered it today," Iandolo said. "Again, it was gutsy for her to stick with it being down and on the road. She really came through."
While the loss drops the Boilers to 4-7 (0-2 Big Ten), Iandolo is certain this match will bring nothing but positive results down the stretch for Purdue.
"If we can play like this against a team ranked in the top four in the nation, we'll definitely do well at the end of the year," Iandolo said. "This match helped build our confidence."
The Boilers will take that confidence into their fourth and final match of their spring break trip when they take on San Diego State on March 19.
California 6, Purdue 3
SINGLES
1. Amanda Augustus (UC) def. Jennifer Embry (PU) 7-5, 6-02. Amy Jensen (UC) def. Erika Quebe (PU) 6-1, 6-33. Shannon Taheny (PU) def. Francesca La'O (UC) 2-6, 6-2, 6-34. Anita Kurimay (UC) def. Missy Wright (PU) 6-4, 6-45. Claire Curran (UC) def. Lisa Walgenbach (PU) 6-1, 6-36. Laura Avgerinos (PU) def. Jenny Lee (UC) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3DOUBLES
1. Embry/Wright (PU) def. Augustus/Jensen (UC) 8-32. Curran/Kurimay (UC) def. Taheny/Quebe (PU) 9-73. Borgerson/Lee (UC) def. Avgerinos/Walgenbach (PU) 8-5