Indiana University
Ohio State
Hoosiers Win Big Ten Opener, 4-3, at Ohio State
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
March 8, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The #33 Indiana University women's tennis team (11-3, 1-0) earned a victory in the Big Ten opener, holding on for a 4-3 win at #31 Ohio State (10-3, 0-1). Indiana jumped out to a 3-0 lead Saturday before freshman Katya Zapadalova later sealed the deal with a third-set triumph at No. 2 singles.
"It's nice to get a win and get off to 1-0 start in the Big Ten," said Head Coach Lin Loring. "They (Ohio State) are nationally-ranked number 31, it's good to get a nice win. Getting the doubles point was huge."
Ohio State entered the dual match with a flawless 27-0 doubles record at home this season. The Buckeyes won again in the second doubles match, but that is where the undefeated streak ended as IU's No. 1 doubles team of Brianna Williams and Zapadalova downed Angela DiPastina and Christian Keesey, 8-5, to even the doubles competition at one match apiece. With the team doubles point on the line, the third doubles contest went into a tie-breaker. Sigrid Fischer and Myriam Sopel came through for the Cream and Crimson with a 7-4 win in the tie-breaker to seize the doubles point.
Williams continued to do just what you expect from a senior captain in the singles play, improving to 13-1 in the dual match season with a 6-1, 6-1 dominating performance over OSU's Caitlin O'Keefe. The No. 1 singles match was the next to conclude, ending with a 6-0, 6-4 victory for IU's Alba Berdala and a 3-0 Hoosier advantage. The Buckeyes surged back, however, taking the fourth and fifth singles matches.
After dropping a 6-2 second set in the No. 2 singles match, Zapadalova clinched the Indiana team victory by besting Paloma Escobedo 6-2 in the decisive third set.
"That was a big win for Katya (Zapadalova)," said Loring. "It's her first big-time, three set win. It's a great way to begin the spring break."
COMPLETE RESULTS
Singles:
1. Alba Berdala (IU) def. Angela DiPastina (OSU) 6-0, 6-4
2. Katya Zapadalova (IU) def. Paloma Escobedo (OSU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
3. Julie Blackmore (OSU) def. Charlotte Martin (IU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
4. Christina Keesey (OSU) def. Sigrid Fischer (IU) 6-4, 6-3
5. Cami Hubbs (OSU) def. Lindsey Stuckey (IU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Brianna Williams (IU) def. Caitlin O'Keefe (OSU) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles:
1. Brianna Williams/Katya Zapadalova (IU) def. Angela DiPastina/Christina Keesey (OSU) 8-5
2. Julie Blackmore/Cami Hubbs (OSU) def. Alba Berdala/Lindsey Stuckey (IU) 8-2
3. Myriam Sopel/Sigrid Fischer (IU) def. Paloma Escobedo/Caitlin O'Keefe (OSU) 9-8 (7-4)
Indiana continues spring break play early next week, getting back to the non-conference slate with a trip to the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational.
Players Mentioned
