Irish cruise to road victory over Purdue

Notre Dame defeated rival Purdue, 6-1, on Wednesday at Schwartz Tennis Center in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The singles competition was highlighted with wins by senior Quinn Gleason, sophomore Allison Miller, junior Monica Robinson, sophomore Brooke Broda and junior Mary Closs. At the No. 1 spot, Gleason won the first set against Purdue junior Nicole Robinson, 6-2, before dropping a close second set, 7-6 (4). She then won the third and decisive set, 6-3. Robinson had a similar match at No. 2 singles, as she won the first set, 7-5, and narrowly lost the second, 7-6 (2). She then won the third set, 6-1.

Broda lost her first set, 6-4, before winning the final two sets, 6-2, 6-3. Miller and Closs both won their singles matches in straight sets. The only singles loss for the Irish was junior Jane Fennelly, who lost her match 6-4, 6-3. In doubles competition, the Irish dominated all three matches. Gleason and Robinson won their match 6-1, while the duo of senior Julie Vrabel and Closs won their match 6-0. Fennelly and Miller were winning their match 5-1 before it was abandoned. Irish head coach Jay Louderback said he was excited about the win and the improvement of his team in doubles play. In five of its six previous matches, Notre Dame had dropped the doubles point. “A mid-week win on the road is always a good win,” Louderback said. “We played exceptionally well in the doubles, which is what we have been putting a lot of practice time in to.” Louderback said his team began to show improvement in doubles play in its previous two matches against Pittsburgh and Michigan. “I felt like the two matches before Purdue we have seen improvement and to play doubles that well against Purdue shows our improvement,” Louderback said. The Irish will now prepare for a busy weekend schedule against quality competition. This Saturday morning, the Irish will play a nonconference game against Indiana. Then the Irish will play conference opponent Louisville at 2 p.m. Sunday. Louderback said he wants to make sure his team paces itself during practice this week. “We are in a stretch of five matches in 10 days, so we have to make sure we don't overdo practice time and make sure we are ready for match day,” Louderback said. The Hoosiers come into Saturday’s matchup with a 6-1 record, while Louisville sports a 6-2 mark. Louderback said the Indiana match will provide a great opportunity to see just how well his team’s doubles play has improved. “Indiana always plays great doubles, so we will have another opportunity to see how much we have improved in that area,” Louderback said.  “I feel we have a great bunch of competitors, so we will be ready for both matches this weekend.”