Homecoming for 3 Hoosiers

The No. 35-ranked IU women's tennis team looks to change its road woes as it plays one-half of a four-game road stretch this weekend in Michigan. The Hoosiers (11-6, 3-1 Big Ten) take on No. 25 Michigan Saturday before traveling to East Lansing to battle the Michigan State Spartans.\nThis weekend's match promises to be a real battle, as two powerhouse programs collide, while three of IU's players return to their home state to play in front of family and friends. Seniors Linda Tran, Karie Schlukebir and junior Dora Vastag play a homecoming of sorts as the three Michigan natives try to improve on a 3-5 road record.\nIU's No. 1 singles player Vastag faces not only Michigan friends and family, but former teammates as well. The Okemos, Mich., native is just one year removed from wearing green and white instead of cream and crimson. After the 2003 spring season at Michigan State, the junior standout decided to transfer to IU and will play against her former teammates for the first time in a different uniform.\nAfter two singles wins and two doubles wins last weekend against Ohio State and Penn State, Vastag improved in the singles rankings to No. 38. She currently posts an 11-5 spring singles record, including knocking off current No. 36 Tammy Encina of Tennessee, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and Kentucky's No. 19 Aibika Kalsarieva in straight sets. Her latest win came against No. 98 Lindsay Williams of Ohio State in a tough 3-6, 7-6, 7-6, three setter. Ahead this weekend for Vastag is Elizabeth Exon, the Wolverines' singles ace currently ranked No. 89 with a record of 10-5 this spring, 4-1 in the conference.\nThe Hoosiers will also have to battle a highly ranked doubles squad as they look to dish out Michigan's first home loss. The maize and blue duo of Kim Plaushines and Debra Streifler are ranked No. 46 and await the challenge from IU's top pair of Tran and sophomore Sarah Batty.\nSunday, the Hoosiers look to keep IU coach Lin Loring's winning streak against Michigan State alive. In 26 seasons at the helm, Loring has never once lost to Michigan State, as the Hoosiers hold a 36-1 match advantage in the series the Big Ten foe to the north.\nThe action starts at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. and continues Sunday at 10 a.m. in East Lansing, Mich.