April 8, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The women's tennis team was within one point of winning its first conference match of the season, but fell 4-3 to Minnesota on Sunday.
"Losing the doubles point really made a big difference at the end of the match," Boilermaker head coach Mat Iandolo said. "I am not unhappy with the effort, but we have got to play tougher for the point. More experience in that type of situation will help us in closing out the match."
Melissa Iqbal and Lynsey Fick paired to defeat Tammy Wang and Jen Howard 8-2 at the No. 2 doubles position. Missy Wright and Melissa Woods' match against Michaela Havelkova at the No. 1 position was pushed to a tiebreaker, and the Boilermakers fell 9-8 (2). Erika Quebe and Gretchen Haynor also lost a tough match 9-7 to Amy Thomas and Brandi Watts at No. 3.
In singles action, Iqbal defeated Thomas 7-5, 6-3 at No. 2. Wright had a decisive 6-1, 6-1 victory over Howard at the No. 5 position. Lisa Walgenbach pushed her match at No. 6 to limit and won 4-6, 7-6 (14-12).
Purdue will travel to South Bend on Wednesday to face Notre Dame at 3 p.m.
Purdue 3, Minnesota 4
Singles
1. Valeria Vladea def. Erika Quebe 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
2. Melissa Iqbal def. Amy Thomas 7-5, 6-3
3. Michaela Havelkova def. Melissa Woods 6-2, 6-3
4. Tammy Wang def. Gretchen Haynor 7-5, 6-1
5. Missy Wright def. Jen Howard 6-1, 6-1
6. Lisa Walgenbach def. Brandi Watts 4-6, 7-6 (14-12)
Doubles
1. Havelkova/Vladea def. Wright/Woods 9-8 (2)
2. Iqbal/Fick def. Wang/Howard 8-2
3. Thomas/Watts def. Quebe/Haynor 9-7