April 10, 2005
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's tennis team suffered a 4-3 defeat at Michigan State on Sunday. Both teams entered the match tied at 75th in the latest ITA national poll.
The Boilermakers dropped to 3-12 with the loss, which kept them winless in Big Ten action (0-6). The Spartans improved their records to 12-9 overall and 4-3 in league play.
While displeased with the end result, Purdue head coach Tim Madden found a positive in his team's performance.
"This is the best team effort we've had in weeks, and it was long overdue," Madden said. "It wasn't our day today, but we are moving in the right direction."
Madden singled out the play of sophomore Scott Warner, who rallied from a set down to beat Michael Flowers 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 6. The victory was Warner's first in three outings this spring.
"Scott played the way he is capable of playing," Madden said. "He dictated play, and as the match went on he got stronger and more confident. The leadership he showed on the court is exactly what our team needs."
The Boilermakers could have used more winning performances like Warner's. They started well enough, winning the doubles point behind wins from the pair of senior David Robinson and junior Paul Rose at No. 2, along with Warner and junior Colin Foster at No. 3.
But the Spartans stormed back to take a 3-1 lead after winning at No. 2, 5 and 3 singles. Foster stopped the streak with a come-from-behind 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Adam Monich at No. 4. Warner's match finished next, tying the score at 3-3.
With all attention turned to court 1, Spartan Andrew Formanczyk outlasted Rose, ranked 77th, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 to clinch the match.
Purdue will look to snap its nine-match losing skid Saturday, April 10, when it plays host to Wisconsin. The Boilermakers will face Northwestern in their regular-season home finale Sunday, April 17. Both matches will start at noon.
#75 Michigan State 4, #75 Purdue 3
Singles
1. Andrew Formanczyk (MS) def. #77 Paul Rose (P) 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-3 *
2. Cameron Marshall (MS) def. Filip Koziell (P) 6-1, 6-1
3. Nick Rinks (MS) def. David Robinson (P) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
4. Colin Foster (P) def. Adam Monich (MS) 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
5. Joseph McWilliams (MS) def. Eric Hodgman (P) 6-4, 6-3
6. Scott Warner (P) def. Michael Flowers (MS) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Doubles
1. Formanczyk/Rinks (MS) def. Sounak Chatterjee/Koziell (P) 8-4
2. Robinson/Rose (P) def. Marshall/Flowers (MS) 9-8 (7-2)
3. Foster/Warner (P) def. Mike Brown/Monich (MS) 9-7
Order of singles finish: 2, 5, 3, 4, 6, 1
Order of doubles finish: 1, 2, 3
* Denotes match-clinching victory.
Michigan State: 12-9 (4-3 Big Ten)
Purdue: 3-12 (0-6 Big Ten)
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