April 27, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team lost 4-0 to top-seeded and third-ranked Illinois in a Big Ten Championships semifinal today in Columbus, Ohio.
The Boilermakers, who were hoping to avenge a 7-0 loss to the defending conference champion in late March, watched the first point go to Illinois after dropping doubles matches at No. 1 and No. 3. Senior Dan Swan and junior Scott Mayer went to the brink before falling 9-7 to Amer Delic and Michael Calkins. Senior Derek Miller and sophomore Seth McKinley succumbed 8-5 to Mike Kosta and Nathan Zeder.
Illinois took its 1-0 lead and momentum into singles, where it won its three necessary matches before Purdue could score. Miller, junior Carl McCafferty, and senior Laith Al-Agba lost in straight sets. Mayer's match against Delic at No. 1 was abandoned, as were the matches of junior Andrew Wakefield and sophomore Troy Havens.
Despite the loss, head coach Tim Madden was proud of his team's effort throughout the weekend.
"Illinois is one of the best teams in the country, and we fought them hard," Madden said. "Looking at the big picture, I am really pleased with the progress we've made this season. This loss does not take away from what we've accomplished. We've made a lot of strides."
Purdue's record is now 12-11. The Boilermakers finished 6-4 in the Big Ten regular season, tying for fourth place. They now will await a bid for the NCAA Championships. Invitations to the national tournament will be handed out next week.
ILLINOIS 4, PURDUE 0Doubles1. Delic/Calkins (UI) def. Mayer/Dan Swan (PU) 9-72. Stolt/Wilson (UI) vs. Al-Agba/McCafferty (PU) Abandoned3. Kosta/Nathan Zeder (UI) def. Miller/Seth McKinley (PU) 8-5Singles1. Amer Delic (UI) vs. Scott Mayer (PU) Abandoned2. Brian Wilson (UI) def. Derek Miller (PU) 6-0, 6-23. Phil Stolt (UI) def. Carl McCafferty (PU) 6-4, 6-14. Mike Kosta (UI) vs. Andrew Wakefield (PU) Abandoned5. Michael Calkins (UI) def. Laith Al-Agba (PU) 6-1, 7-6(4)6. Chris Martin (UI) vs. Troy Havens (PU) Abandoned
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