Northwestern
Indiana
Wildcats Succumb to Hoosiers, 4-3
2/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 15, 2003
Down after the doubles point, Northwestern's rally in singles fell short as the No. 40 Indiana Hoosiers (7-0, 1-0 Big Ten) defeated the Wildcats 4-3 Saturday afternoon at the Combe Tennis Center.
The No. 41 Wildcats fall to 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten play.
Indiana's Nos. 1 and 2 doubles teams downed the 'Cats early for the deciding point of the match. Zach Held and Ryan Recht defeated Jackie Jenkins and Chuck Perrin 9-8(6) at No. 1. Viktor Libal and Petr Novotny were the 9-7 victors over Tommy Hanus and Russell Bennett at No. 2.
"That was about as tough a loss as I can remember in a long time," said head coach Paul Torricelli. "It was a very close match. Even after losing the doubles point, we still had a great shot, but knew it was going to be a lot tougher without that critical doubles point."
Sophomore Hanus tied the match at one a piece with a straight-set win over Jakub Praibis at No. 1 singles (6-4, 6-2). Jenkins gave the 'Cats a 2-1 advantage with his 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 2, defeating Libal. A tough loss at No. 5 singles tied the match at two all. Ahmed Wahla came from behind to defeat Julien Vulliez at No. 6 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 to give NU the 3-2 advantage. Perrin, at No. 4, dropped an intense match to Held, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
With the match tied at 3-3, Indiana's Novotny upended Josh Axler at No. 3 3-6, 7-6(11-9), 6-4 to clinch the match for the Hoosiers.
Northwestern returns to the court Feb. 20 when they host intracity rival DePaul at 6 p.m. at the Combe Tennis Center.
Indiana 4, Northwestern 3
Doubles
1. Zach Held/Ryan Recht (IU) def. Jackie Jenkins/Chuck Perrin (NU) 9-8(6)
2. Viktor Libal/Petr Novotny (IU) def. Tommy Hanus/Russell Bennett (NU) 9-7
3. Josh Axler/Adam Schaechterle (NU) def. John Stone/Jakub Praibis (IU) 8-6
Singles
1. Hanus (NU) def. Praibis (IU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Jenkins (NU) def. Libal (IU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Novotny (IU) def. Axler (NU) 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 6-4
4. Held (IU) def. Perrin (NU) 6-4, 1-6, 7-5
5. Recht (IU) def. Schaechterle (NU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
6. Ahmed Wahla (NU) def. Julien Vulliez (IU) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
