Hoosiers take 2 from MAC opponents in dominating fashion

Good things came in pairs for the IU women's tennis team Sunday in its season opening double-header at the Varsity Tennis Center.\nThe No. 32 Hoosiers ended the day with a 2-0 record, sweeping Miami University of Ohio, 7-0 before defeating No. 54 Western Michigan, 5-2. The team went undefeated in doubles play for the day.\nSenior captain Sarah Batty and junior Laura McGaffigan, IU's No. 1 doubles tandem, set the tone of the day early with an 8-0 shutout of the RedHawk's Katrina Lomidze and Linda Jirouskova. \nIn singles against Miami, the Hoosiers cruised, never dropping a set. \nTwo freshmen earned their first dual singles match victories. Alba Berdala fought off Victoria Pulido in the second set to win the No. 4 singles point, 6-2, 7-5. At the No. 6 spot, Sigrid Fisher rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Freshmen Stephanie Heller and Marah Calvo also claimed wins in exhibition play.\n"I thought it was a great day for our freshmen to get used to college tennis and dual matches," IU coach Lin Loring said.\nThe Broncos proved to be the tougher test for IU in the afternoon match.\nThe Hoosiers again claimed the doubles point against a more experienced Western Michigan lineup. Junior Cecile Perton and Badala played the tightest match, defeating Reedhina Parekh and Noriko Saruta, 8-6.\n"I was especially pleased with the doubles against Western Michigan," Loring said. "I thought it was real important that we take the doubles point in that match."\nBatty picked up her fifth career win at No. 1 singles against the Broncos' Malena Remynse, 6-0, 6-1. McGaffigan and sophomore Brianna Williams both claimed their second victories of the day in singles, winning 6-4, 6-3 and 6-3, 6-1, respectively.\nWestern Michigan's points occurred at No. 3 singles where Rattiya Hiranat defeated Berdala in a tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-2, 1-0, (8) and No. 6 singles where Perton withdrew due to injury.\nBatty, ranked No. 98 in singles nationally, contributed four victories on the day -- two in singles and two in doubles. \n"I started off well," Batty said. "I just played my game and everything turned out well."\nWilliams also ended the day with an unblemished record in singles and doubles.\n"I felt good -- especially it being the first matches," she said.\nLoring said the team hopes these matches will provide focus in preparation for their match against the University of Kansas. \n"We still showed we had some work to do in certain places," he said.\nThe Hoosiers will face the Jayhawks next Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Varsity Tennis Center.