April 3, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Another valiant effort went unrewarded for the Purdue women's tennis team today, as the Boilermakers got shut out by 13th-ranked Notre Dame 9-0 in South Bend. Purdue falls to 5-10 (1-3 Big Ten) with the loss, while the Fighting Irish improve to 14-6.
"Notre Dame is a solid team," Purdue coach Mat Iandolo said. "We knew this was going to be a challenge, and it certainly was. Even though the score was not in our favor, this kind of match can only help us down the stretch."
Purdue played tough in singles, winning two first sets and nearly winning a third (junior Shannon Taheny lost in a tiebreak). But Notre Dame rallied from there, winning five of six of the second sets to gain control. Junior Jennifer Embry, who was the only Boiler to win her second set, took eighth-ranked Michelle Dasso to three sets before falling 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Embry and freshman partner Missy Wright battled Notre Dame's No. 1 doubles team of Becky Varnum and Marisa Velasco before falling 8-6. Seniors Laura Avgerinos and Katy Moran suffered a similar fate at No. 3 against the Guy/Scaringe combo. Purdue's No. 2 team of sophomore Lisa Walgenbach and freshman Lynsey Fick fell 8-5 to Lindsey Green and Kelly Zalinski.
Purdue will have a few days to regroup before it hits the court against No. 36 Marquette in West Lafayette on April 7.
Notre Dame 9, Purdue 0
SINGLES
1. Michelle Dasso (ND) def. Jennifer Embry (PU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-32. Jennifer Hall (ND) def. Erika Quebe (PU) 3-6, 6-0, 6-43. Marisa Velasco (ND) def. Shannon Taheny (PU) 7-6, 6-24. Becky Varnum (ND) def. Missy Wright (PU) 6-3, 6-45. Kelly Zalinski (ND) def. Lisa Walgenbach (PU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 6.Lindsey Green (ND) def. Lynsey Fick (PU) 6-4, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Varnum/Velasco (ND) def. Embry/Wright (PU) 8-62. Green/Zalinski (ND) def. Walgenbach/Fick (PU) 8-53. Guy/Scaringe (ND) def. Avgerinos/Moran (PU) 8-6