Michigan State University Athletics
Women's Tennis Continues Big Ten Season On The Road
4/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 7, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's tennis team (11-6, 1-4) climbed its way back into the ITA rankings at No. 62 in the April 5 poll. The ranking marks the Spartans' second appearance in the polls this year and ties the highest ranking the program has seen since May 31, 2002.
This Week: Michigan State will travel to No. 53 Illinois on Saturday, April 9 and will then travel to No. 68 Purdue on Sunday, April 10.
Last Week: MSU racked up its first conference win against No. 57 Minnesota on Saturday, April 2 as it downed the Gophers 6-1 in East Lansing. On Sunday, the Spartans faced an intense No. 55 Iowa but were unable to pick up the win. The 6-1 loss to the Hawkeyes ended the Spartans' eight-match home winning streak. State had not dropped a match at home since April 25, 2004.
"I think our team is realizing that we have great opportunities ahead of us," said head coach Tim Bauer. "I think that they now have the attacking mindset to get results we want."
Scouting the Opponents:
Illinois (9-6, 3-1)
With only one loss in the Big Ten, the fighting Illini stand at fourth in the conference. The Blue and Orange are 2-6 against nationally-ranked opponents with wins against No. 56 Colorado and No. 58 Purdue. Last year, UI swept the Spartans 7-0 in Champaign. UI's biggest threat comes from No. 41 Cynthia Goulet. Goulet, currently undefeated in Big Ten action at No. 1, holds an almost flawless overall record of 13-1 at the top spot.
Purdue (5-10, 2-2)
PU's three-match winning streak was snapped after LSU defeated the Boilermakers 4-3 on April 6. The Boilermakers will host No. 38 Michigan on Saturday before taking on the Spartans on Sunday. Purdue is 2-9 when playing against ranked opponents as it claimed victories over No. 37 Texas A&M and No. 74 Long Beach State. Last year, the Spartans knocked off the then No. 58 Boilermakers 4-3 in West Lafayette. Purdue leads the series 20-14.
"I think our team will show what it is made of over the course of the next few matches," commented Bauer. "A season boils down to peaking at the right time and that time is now. Illinois and Purdue are both good teams and good targets for us."
Spartans On The Road
With two away matches this weekend, the Spartans will have now played eight matches on the road this season. MSU is 3-5 when traveling.
"On the court our team is adaptable, and can play on any kind of surface," said Bauer. "Whether it's indoors or outdoors, each court brings out a different strength of our team."
Michigan State will return to East Lansing for its last home match of the regular season on Sunday, April 17 as it hosts Ohio State at 10 a.m.
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