April 25, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The eighth-seeded Purdue women's tennis team defeated No. 9-seed Michigan State 4-1 in the opening round of the Big Ten Championship in Bloomington, Ind., today. The Boilermakers advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet top-seeded Northwestern on Friday, April 26.
Purdue won the doubles point by defeating Michigan State at the No. 2 and 3 spots. Senior Lynsey Fick and sophomore Melissa Woods upended Mandy Caldemeyer and Dora Vastag 8-3. Junior Melissa Iqbal and freshman Lara Burgarello beat Asa Liden and Kate Thomas 8-4.
Burgarello and classmates Amy Walgenbach and Shawna Zuccarini all posted singles wins. Burgarello defeated Caldmeyer 6-1, 6-2; Walgenbach defeated Keri Thompson 6-2, 6-3; and Zuccarini defeated Thomas 6-1, 6-2.
Head coach Mat Iandolo was pleased particularly by the play of his freshmen.
"I am pleased with how our young players did today," Iandolo said. "They played three great matches. They're not playing like freshmen anymore."
Purdue will play Northwestern tomorrow at 9 a.m. The Wildcats posted a perfect 10-0 Big Ten record (18-5 overall). They have won the last three Big Ten titles.
"Northwestern is mentally the strongest team in this league, and we are going to have to match their mental toughness," Iandolo said.
#48 Purdue 4, #68 Michigan State 1
Singles
1. Melissa Iqbal (PU) vs. Dora Vastag (MSU) 7-5, 0-2, abandoned
2. Gretchen Haynor (PU) vs. Asa Liden (MSU) 1-6, 6-5, abandoned
3. Caroline Lay (MSU) def. Melissa Woods (PU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Lara Burgarello (PU) def. Mandy Caldemeyer (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. Amy Walgenbach (PU) def. Keri Thompson (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) def. Kate Thomas (MSU) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
1. Lay/Thompson (MSU) def. Missy Wright/ Haynor (PU) 8-4
2. Lynsey Fick/Melissa Woods (PU) def. Caldemeyer/Vastag (MSU) 8-3
3. Iqbal/Burgarello (PU) def. Liden/Thomas (MSU) 8-4