Big Ten co-champs head into tourney

As if winning his 600th career match wasn't enough to solidify IU coach Lin Loring as the nation's top tennis coach, the remarkable turnaround the women's tennis team has experienced this season speaks volumes about one of the most successful sports programs at IU. \nAlmost every aspect of the program, in comparison to the 2003 season, seems like Superman's bizzaro world, as the Hoosiers fought their way to IU's most successful season in six years. Most notably, in less than 12 months the Hoosiers rebounded from a season spent as the doormat of the Big Ten to a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.\nWith two big wins last weekend over then -No. 16 Illinois and No. 61 Purdue, the Hoosiers (17-6, 9-1 Big Ten) concluded their regular season with eight straight conference wins en route to winning a share of the conference title. IU's 16th Big Ten crown and the first since 1998 was especially emotional for both players and coaches after suffering through a 1-9 season last year. In a 180 degree turn, the Hoosiers grabbed upset after upset finishing 9-1 with one of the most grueling schedules in the NCAA.\n"Was this Big Ten title any more special than the first 15? Yes, but only because before this, we had never gone more than two years without a Big Ten title," Loring said. "You almost start taking them for granted. This one is special because we had to wait so long for it."\nOnly one year ago, in a season marred by injuries, IU struggled to find enough players to fill positions one through six. With only one summer in between, Loring responded with a deep team for 2004.\nIn clinching their final two-game homestand, the recipe for success was a fitting summary of how the 2004 season went. Using its depth to come from behind in an upset of a top-ranked team sums up how IU has made the 2003 debacle feel like a distant memory.\nAfter winning all three doubles matches, then-No. 25 IU found itself needing three singles wins for the upset. With the four top singles players losing, the Hoosiers rode to victory on the shoulders of two freshmen and a senior. \nIn a deadly combination of experience and youthful talent. Senior Karie Schlukebir, who is in her sixth year at IU, took a three-setter at the No. 5 position, while freshmen Laura McGaffigan and Cecile Perton sealed the deal with McGaffigan winning the decisive match 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.\nThe exact opposite took place Sunday, when the Hoosiers downed rival Purdue in another match that came down to the wire. IU dropped the doubles point, needing four singles matches for the come-from-behind victory. \nRebounding from its losses Saturday, IU's top-four hitters paved the way in several three-set matches to give IU a win and a Big Ten championship on Senior Day.\nSenior Linda Tran, IU's No. 2 singles player, said their final two wins truly highlighted the character of this team and their will to win.\n"Coming from behind both days really showed that our team does not ever let up," Tran said. "We've felt this kind of pressure all season long, in matches where we have been behind. We don't have to rely on the same people every match. After last season, it is so nice to be able to say that."\nBut the 2004 edition of Loring's cream and crimson is not satisfied with a regular season title. Schlukebir said this is just one of the many team goals they want to meet. \nThe next step is proving its dominance in the Big Ten Championships, beginning tomorrow at Northwestern.\n"Winning the tournament has been our goal all year long," Schlukebir said. "The regular season was great and it is great that we won a share of the title. But we're here to win (the tournament)."\nAmong the teams playing in the championship, only top-seeded Northwestern has downed the Hoosiers this season. However, standing in IU's way are several top-ranked teams looking for revenge in the single elimination format, including No. 20 Illinois and No. 27 Michigan.\n"There is definitely a big target on our back now," Tran said of the other teams gunning for IU. "Now, it doesn't matter so much what you did in the regular season. One loss puts you out, so we will have to stay focused, be ready and play to win."\n-- Contact staff writer Jeff Fuldauer at jfuldaue@indiana.edu.