Jan. 25, 2013

Evanston, Ill. - The No. 32 Washington State Women's tennis team fell short in its match against No. 26 Purdue, 4-3, Friday in the first round of the ITA Team Indoor Championship at the Combe Tennis Center.

The Cougars (3-1) were trading wins with Purdue (1-0) though the first four singles matches but could not find a way to finish, falling to the Boilermakers in the first meeting between the two schools.

In doubles action, the Cougars had difficulty getting anything going. At No. 1, Andjela Kankaras and Ksenia Googe fell to Mara Schmidt and Krisztina Kapitany 8-2. After going down 6-3, Liudmila Vasilieva and Elizaveta Luzina fought back at No. 2 to tie the score at 6-6. They were not able to overcome the large deficit, falling 8-6 to the pairing of Lynda Xepoleas and Daniela Vidal to clinch the doubles point for Purdue.

Charlotte Koning and Olga Musilovich did not finish their match at No. 3, since the doubles point had already been awarded. The match ended 7-7 against Imogen Golder and Gisella Pere.

Vasilieva was the first to strike for the Cougars at No.1 singles, defeating No. 80 Xepoleas 6-4, 6-2 for WSU's first point of the afternoon. Kankaras fell 6-3, 6-3 to No. 108 Schmidt at No.2 singles. Koning had similar results, falling 6-2, 6-2 to Pere at No. 6.

At No. 5 singles, Musilovich provided hope for the Cougars. After winning a close fist set, Musilovich was able to carry the momentum and finish off Golder 7-6, 6-3.

Down 3-2, WSU needed to win the final two matches for the team victory. At No. 3 singles, Googe, who lost the first set, fought back against Vidal to take the second and force a deciding third set. Vidal jumped out early and pulled away for a 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 victory, securing the team win for Purdue.

Although Purdue had clinched the match, Luzina continued playing with intensity. Down 5-3 in the third set, Luzina rallied back to defeat Kapitany 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 to make the final score 4-3.

The Cougars are next in action Saturday when they face No. 38 Arkansas.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY TENNIS
No. 26 Purdue def. No. 32 Washington State 4-3
January 25, 2013
Combe Tennis Center
Evanston, Ill.

Doubles

1.Schmidt/Kapitany (PUR) def. Kankaras/Googe (WSU) 8-2
2.Xepoleas/Vidal (PUR) def. Vasilieva/Luzina (WSU) 8-6
3.Golder/Pere (PUR) vs. Koning/Musilovich (WSU) 7-7 (2-1) DNF
Order of Finish: 1, 2*

Singles
1.Liudmila Vasilieva (WSU) def. No. 80 Lynda Xepoleas (PUR) 6-4, 6-2
2.No. 108 Mara Schmidt (PUR) def. Andjela Kankaras (WSU) 6-3, 6-3
3.Daniela Vidal (PUR) def. Ksenia Googe (WSU) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1
4.Elizaveta Luzina (WSU) def. Krisztina Kapitany (PUR) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
5.Olga Musilovich (WSU) def. Imogen Golder 7-6 (3), 6-3
6.Gisella Pere (PUR) def. Charlotte Koning (WSU) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 5, 3*, 4