Team falls in pair of Big Ten matches

While the women's tennis team looked impressive at times this weekend, it failed to record a victory.\nThe Hoosiers (9-14, 1-7 Big Ten) faced the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-13, 3-5) and lost a close match 4-3. The competition continued Sunday against a Minnesota team (14-5, 7-1) that is tied for first place in the Big Ten standings.\nDespite the team's play this weekend, coach Lin Loring said he remains optimistic.\n"Where we had chances, we did very well," Loring said. "This season is so similar to last year, where we showed that we can go with anyone in the doubles. Minnesota is tied for first in the Big Ten, but we dominated the No. 1 spot in doubles and almost won at the No. 2 spot. In double, we can cover up our injuries. Our weakness is singles where we can't cover up those injuries."\nAgainst Iowa, the Hoosiers swept all three doubles spots to give the team an early lead. The Hoosiers struggled at the singles spots, winning two out of the six matches. Junior Martina Grimm beat Iowa sophomore Gloria Okino 6-4, 6-1 to give Grimm her 23rd win of the season. With this win, Grimm reached her career high in single season singles victories and leads the team in singles victories. Senior Karie Schlukebir also won her singles match against junior Deni Alexandrova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. \n"I didn't play great on Saturday, but I was still able to pull it out," Schlukebir said. "Sunday I worked on some things, but I faced some tough competition, and unfortunately I didn't get the win."\nThe Hoosiers struggled Sunday against Minnesota, recording their sole victory at the No. 1 doubles spot where the tandem of Schlukebir and junior Linda Tran defeated juniors Amy Thomas and Valerie Vladea 8-4. While Tran competed in the doubles competition, injuries caused her to sit out for her singles match.\n"It (Tran's absence) bumps everyone up one spot so it's tougher for all of us," said Schlukebir. "It's better for us going into next weekend to have her healthy because we have two important matches next weekend."\nWith Tran's absence, freshman Sarah Batty moved up to the No. 1 spot and played a tough match against sophomore Angela Buergis but eventually lost in the tie break 6-2, 1-6, 1-0 (7). \nGrimm played in the No. 2 spot and decided to retire after falling behind in the second set to decrease her chances of further aggravating her injuries.\n"I think I played all right today," Grimm said. "I think it was better to stop because in the long term with the injuries, next weekend will be more important. It wasn't a good idea to take the chance and make my injuries worse." \nWith the improvement the team has made this year, Loring is very optimistic about its chances next year.\n"The improvement the girls have made this year are overshadowed because many of the girls have to play so far out of position (because of injuries)," Loring said.\nThe Hoosiers face Illinois Saturday in Champaign, Ill.