Feb. 19, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's tennis teams picked up two wins Saturday in its first doubleheader of the season. The Boilermakers improve to 3-2 for the season.
"I felt like we did a good job of coming out and setting the tone in both matches in terms of our energy and enthusiasm" head coach Mat Iandolo said. "That carried over throughout the day and helped us gain two solid wins."
Purdue gained the doubles point quickly against Western Michigan, following wins at the No. 1 spot by seniors Jennifer Embry and Shannon Taheny over Larissa Chinwah and Nikki Thompson (8-3) and at No. 3 by junior Erika Quebe and freshman Melissa Iqbal, who handed Kendra Becker and Diana Dimitrescu an 8-3 loss. The Boilers picked up wins in singles action at the No. 1, 3, 4 and 6 positions to take the match 5-2.
Later in the evening, the Boilers continued to play effectively in doubles action, gaining the point with wins at the same spots. Going on to win the match 6-1, Purdue managed to pick up points from all but one spot in singles action.
Iandolo was impressed with Iqbal's performance as a freshman.
"I felt particularly good about the play of freshman Melissa Iqbal," Iandolo said. "She is developing well and I think she is fitting in with our style of play."
Playing at No. 4, Iqbal defeated Western Michigan's Dimitrescu 7-5, 6-1. Against Illinois State, Iqbal played at No. 6 and won the 6-3, 6-0 decision over Kress Shores. The underclassman is pleasantly surprised with her performance.
"It is very exciting for me to have done so well today," Iqbal said. "I didn't think I would fit in so quickly, but my teammates' and coaches' support is what helped me to adjust."
Purdue 5, Western Michigan 2
Singles
1. Jennifer Embry (PU) def. Larissa Chinwah (WMU) 6-2, 7-6 (8)
2. Cyra Malik (WMU) def. Shannon Taheny (PU) 6-2, 5-7
3. Erika Quebe (PU) def. Nikki Thompson (WMU) 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (4)
4. Melissa Iqbal (PU) def. Diana Dimitrescu(WMU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Melanie Rempse (WMU) def. Lynsey Fick (PU) 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (2)
6. Lisa Walgenbach (PU) def. Kendra Becker (WMU) 7-5, 6-1
Doubles
1. Embry/Taheny (PU) def. Chinwah/Thompson (WMU) 8-3
2. Rempse/Malik (WMU) def. Fick/Walgenbach (PU) 8-3
3. Quebe/Iqbal (PU) def. Becker/Dimitrescu (WMU) 8-2
Purdue 6, Illinois State 1
Singles
1. Jennifer Embry (PU) def. Alesia Mikalayeva (ISU) 6-2, 6-7 (5)
2. Flora Karsai (ISU) def. Shannon Taheny (PU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Erika Quebe (PU) def. Alana Hoffman (ISU) 6-1, 6-0
4. Lisa Walgenbach (PU) def. Shelby Lipson (ISU) 6-1, 6-4
5. Lynsey Fick (PU) def. Brigette Zarazee (ISU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Melissa Iqbal (PU) def. Kress Shores (ISU) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
1. Embry/Taheny (PU) def. Mikalayeva/Hoffman (ISU) 8-6
2. Walgenbach/Fick (PU) def. Karsai/Fostrak (ISU) 8-2
3. Quebe/Iqbal (PU) def. Lipson/Walgenbach (ISU) 6-1