Sunday, 03/08/2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana took its second straight win over a ranked Big Ten foe on Sunday. The Hoosiers took the doubles point and then rode singles points from three freshman for a 4-3 victory over the 19th ranked Wisconsin Badgers. Freshman Maxime Armengaud clinched the victory for Indiana, winning a three set thriller at number five singles.

For the second straight day, the Hoosiers jumped out to an early lead by snatching the doubles point. At number two doubles, sophomore Lachlan Ferguson and freshman Stephen Vogl jumped out early and took their match 8-3. At number one doubles, sophomore Santiago Gruter and freshman Jeremy Langer scored an upset of the 16th ranked doubles tandem in the nation. The IU duo played tough, forcing Moritz Baumann and Marek Michalicka into a tiebreaker, where the Hoosiers prevailed 7-5 for a 9-8 win, closing out the doubles point and moving Indiana into a 1-0 lead.

Langer extended the lead to 2-0 with his dismissal of Luke Rassow-Kantor at number four singles. He won 6-1, 6-2. The Badgers then came roaring back, winning at  number one and number three singles to even the count at two all.

Freshman Will Kendall scored the third point for Indiana, winning 6-3, 6-4 at number six singles, over Michael Dierberger. The win left two matches in play, both going to a third set. One IU win would bring home the W. The plot thickened as the second flight fell in favor of the Badgers. Gruter fell to #44 Marek Michalicka 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. At that point, only Armengaud and Peter Marrack of the Badgers remained on the court, tied at 4-4 in the third set.

Armengaud then broke Marrack’s serve to take 5-4 advantage. With a loud and energized crowd watching, Amengaud held serve, winning a game of several long rallies. The Nice, France product wrapped up Indiana’s second defeat of a ranked opponent in as many days.

Indiana moves to 9-7 on the year and 2-0 in Big Ten play. The weekend marks the first time IU has won back-to-back wins since Randy Bloemendaal joined the coaching staff, and the two wins mark the first and second time the Hoosiers have come out on top in a 4-3 decision.

The Hoosiers head west for their next matchup, squaring off with Fresno State on March 17. For complete coverage of IU tennis, stay tuned to IUHoosiers.com.