IOWA CITY, Iowa - Strong doubles play, combined with dominating singles lifted the No. 21 Purdue women's tennis team to a 5-2 victory over Iowa in B1G action Saturday in the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The Boilermakers captured their third-straight victory, lifting their record to 5-2, 1-0 B1G. The Hawkeyes, who suffered their fifth-consecutive loss to the Old Gold & Black, moved to 4-3, 0-1 B1G.
For the fourth time this season, the Boilermakers set the stage in their favor by claiming the doubles point with victories at Nos. 1 and 2. Lynda Xepoleas and Natalia Davila struck first, cruising past Hawkeye duo Morven McCulloch and Zoe Douglas, 8-2. The 45th-ranked Purdue pair of Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum and Daniela Vidal used an 8-4 decision over Shelby Talcott and Anastasia Reimchen en route to their ninth win.
Three-consecutive singles victories came in dominating fashion from Krisztina Kapitany and Vidal, with the clinch coming at No. 3 courtesy of Xepoleas. Kapitany (5-2) rolled past Douglas in the six spot, 6-1, 6-2, followed by a 6-0, 6-3 showing from Vidal against Talcott. The senior who plays at the No. 1 position, improved to 7-3 in her final campaign with the win. Veteran counterpart, Xepoleas, posted a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Reimchen for her seventh win of the spring season.
The final point for Purdue came from Nicole Robinson at No. 5, who won a marathon match with Katie Zordani, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 1-0 (7). The sophomore won for a third time in as many appearances this spring.
Up next for the Boilermakers is a trip to Lincoln, Neb., for a pair of dual matches. They will take on Georgia State in a non-conference battle on March 7 at 12 p.m. ET and the following day Purdue will square off against the Huskers in B1G action at 11 a.m. ET.
No. 21 PURDUE 5, IOWA 2
Doubles
1: No. 45 Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum/Daniela Vidal (Purdue) def. Shelby Talcott/Anastasia Reimchen (Iowa), 8-4
2: Natalia Davila/Lynda Xepoleas (Purdue) def. Morven McCulloch/Zoe Douglas (Iowa), 8-2
3: Nicole Robinson/Krisztina Kapitany (Purdue) vs. Katie Zordani/Annette Dohanics (Iowa), 5-3 DNF
Order of finish: 2, 1
Singles
1: Daniela Vidal (Purdue) def. Shelby Talcott (Iowa), 6-0, 6-3
2: Morven McCulloch (Iowa) def. Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum (Purdue), 6-4, 7-5
3: Lynda Xepoleas (Purdue) def. Anastasia Reimchen (Iowa), 6-4, 6-3
4: Annette Dohanics (Iowa) def. Andjela Djokovic (Purdue), 6-4, 2-6, 6-4
5: Nicole Robinson (Purdue) def. Katie Zordani (Iowa), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 1-0 (7)
6: Krisztina Kapitany (Purdue) def. Zoe Douglas (Iowa), 6-1, 6-2
Order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5