Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Set to Host Big Ten Tilts
3/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 22, 2006
Purdue/Illinois Match Notes
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The No. 35 Indiana women's tennis team is set to host its second and third Big Ten opponents this season in No. 33 Purdue on Friday, March 24 at 3 p.m., and No. 59 Illinois on Sunday, March 26 at 10 a.m. Both matches will be played at the Indiana Tennis Center. The Hoosiers enter the contest 11-4 overall and 1-0 in the conference. The Boilermakers boast a 6-4 ledger and a 1-0 mark in conference play, while the Illini are 5-6 on the season and 0-1 in the league with two matches left before facing IU.
Loring Nears 300
This spring, head coach Lin Loring, who is in his 29th season at IU, looks to notch his 300th career Big Ten win. Currently, Loring holds a 297-60 record in conference play. Additionally, Loring is the winningest coach in NCAA women's tennis history.
Hoosiers Maintain Top 50 Ranking
Indiana remains in the top 50 of the ITA/Fila tennis rankings. In the latest March 21 poll, the Hoosiers garnered the No. 35 slot. The highest IU has been ranked in 2006 was No. 27 on Feb. 28.
Crimson and Gold Cup Point Up for Grabs
The rivalry between IU and Purdue continues with the 2005-06 AT&T Crimson & Gold Cup, also presented by Simon Malls. The overall winner of the contest will be awarded a trophy at the end of the season. One point is up for grabs at the March 24 showdown. Currently, Indiana leads Purdue in the standings, 8-5.
The Purdue Series
Indiana holds an impressive 35-2 all-time record against arch-rival Purdue including wins in four of the last five meetings. When playing at home, the Hoosiers are 12-1 against the Boilermakers. The two conference foes met last season on March 26, 2005 in West Lafayette, Ind., where IU topped Purdue, 4-3. Laura McGaffigan and Cecile Perton picked up singles win at the No. 3 and 6 positions, respectively to improve to 2-0 in the Big Ten.
Scouting the Boilermakers
Heading into the AT&T Crimson and Gold Cup showdown, the Boilermakers are 6-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Purdue picked up wins over DePaul, Miami (Ohio), Rice, Kentucky, Illinois and most recently, UC Irvine. Purdue bested its only league opponent, the Illini, 6-1. The Boilermakers have suffered losses at the hand of Wake Forest, Tennessee, SMU and Texas. Purdue boasts one ranked player in the March 21 poll in No. 60 Randi Schuler.
The Illinois Series
Indiana leads the all-time series with Illinois, 28-6, including victories in three of the last five contests. When playing at home, the Hoosiers are 11-3 against the Illini. Last season, IU bested Illinois, 4-3, on March 27, 2005 in Champaign, Ill. Sarah Batty at the No. 2 position and Cecile Perton in the No. 6 slot earned singles wins in the match. The win improved IU's conference ledger to 3-0.
Scouting the Illini
The Illini are 5-6 overall this season and 0-1 in the Big Ten. In conference action, Illinois fell to Purdue, 6-1. The Illini earned wins this season over Marquette, Western Michigan, Illinois State, UIC and Louisville, while suffering losses to Tennessee, William and Mary, Wake Forest, Mississippi, Purdue and Notre Dame. Illinois will take on USC on March 22 and Penn State on March 24 before facing Indiana. In doubles, Illinois boasts a ranked pair in No. 37 Emily Wang and Macall Hawkins.
Conference Contenders
Indiana has undoubtedly had one of the richest and most successful histories in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have claimed 16 conference titles with the most recent coming in 2004. Last season, IU notched an 8-3 record in conference play that was good enough for third place. In league action, the Hoosiers also get off to strong starts boasting an impressive 24-4 record in Big Ten openers. So far is 2006, IU is a perfect 1-0 in league play.
Last Time Out
The then-No. 27 Indiana women's tennis team dropped to 9-4 on the season after it fell in a heartbreaker to then-No. 6 North Carolina on March 4 at the Indiana Tennis Center. After UNC claimed the doubles point, the Hoosiers' brilliant singles play knotted the match at two. Despite taking three matches to the wire, IU could not hold on as the Tar Heels walked away with the 5-2 victory in Bloomington.
Seeing Double
Indiana, which has historically been strong in doubles, is maintaining that tradition this season. So far in 2006, the Hoosiers are 10-1 when winning the doubles point. On nine occasions, Indiana has won all three doubles matches en route to claiming the doubles point. In 2006, IU has been victorious in 38 of its 46 dual doubles matches.
Who's Next?
Indiana will be away from home for the next three matches. The Hoosiers will travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern on Saturday, April 1, followed by a showdown in Madison, Wis., against the Badgers on Sunday, April 2. Both matches are slated to begin at 11 a.m. Up-to-date women's tennis news and results can be found at IUHOOSIERS.com.
