Hoosiers flawless in conference opener

The IU women’s tennis team quickly expelled any chances it had of losing its Big Ten debut against Wisconsin on Saturday.\nBefore this season, 2002 was the last time the Hoosiers won their first eight matches of the season. Despite strong play in nonconference matches, IU lost its conference opener that year at home to Wisconsin. Coincidentally, the No. 30 Hoosiers began conference play in Bloomington against the Badgers this season as well, but they didn’t give history a chance to repeat itself.\nWisconsin (3-7, 0-2) entered Saturday’s showdown without the nation’s No. 14-ranked singles player, Caitlin Burke. \nIU coach Lin Loring said Burke’s presence would have significantly altered the match had she played, but even without her, the Badgers remained competitive early on. The two teams battled in doubles, fighting for the point and control of the match. After struggling in the early games, sophomore Alba Berdala said the Hoosiers upped their level of play to thwart Wisconsin’s hopes taking an early advantage in the match.\nIU won all three doubles matches (8-4, 8-6, 8-6) and Loring said the Badgers lost their game plan in the process.\n“I think they probably knew, to beat us, they would have to win the doubles point,” he said. “They fought a lot harder in doubles than they did in singles.”\nThe Hoosiers, however, didn’t let up in singles. \nIU took advantage of Wisconsin’s deflated momentum and Burke’s absence in the lineup to win all five singles matches. Berdala and senior Laura McGaffigan even battled to win their matches in tiebreaking third sets despite the fact that their teammates’ singles victories had already clinched IU’s victory. McGaffigan said the pressure-free situation didn’t change her determination to win her match – it just allowed her to enjoy the moment.\n“I was just relieved when we got the four points,” she said. “I was just out there having fun.”\nThings were a little more stressful for the Hoosiers on Sunday when they faced No. 75 Indiana State (5-5), a team that was added to IU’s schedule just days before. \nLoring said, regardless of the short notice, it was difficult to prepare for the Sycamores. \nLike Wisconsin, Indiana State had experienced some contrasting high and low points during the season. The Sycamores entered Sunday’s match on a four-match losing skid, and the Hoosiers added to it, beating their in-state rival 5-2. \nWith the two wins, IU improved to 11-3 on the season and 1-0 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers’ perfect home record also improved to 9-0, and Loring said that protecting home court will be very important in conference play.\n“I see probably seven teams that are going to be battling out for the three and four spots in the conference,” he said. “The home court’s going to be a big advantage.”\nAside from capitalizing on home-court advantage, Berdala said the Hoosiers’ second major priority is winning matches that they’re favored in, starting with Saturday’s victory against the Badgers.\n“Wisconsin’s maybe not the best team (in the conference),” she said. “So it’s one of the teams you have to beat.”