IU traveled seven hours south to take on Tennessee in the Hoosiers’ only match of the weekend.
Tennessee beat the Hoosiers with ease with a final score of 5-0.
The Volunteers took the doubles point early. Senior Kim Schmider and sophomore Madison Appel were unable to finish their No. 1 doubles match because their No. 2 and 3 spots lost in quick sets of 6-2 and 6-1.
“Tennessee is a very good team,” IU Coach Ramiro Azcui said. “Losing that point early made it hard on us to bounce back in the singles matches.”
IU was without sophomore Natalie Whalen, who Azcui said caught the flu Saturday morning and traveled with the team but was unable to compete. Freshman Emma Love was also under the weather but competed in the No. 3 doubles spot with sophomore Caitlin Bernard. Love not being 100 percent cost IU in a 6-1 loss to freshman Ariadna Riley and sophomore Ashley Bongart.
“I think having everyone healthy on the team so we can have a full lineup will be beneficial to getting the doubles point,” Appel said. “It’s tough when some of the girls are playing higher positions than they’re used to and switching partners so last minute.”
Appel had also just returned from being sick. She didn’t play in the three matches the previous week and, returning this week, she fell to sophomore Sadie Hammond, 6-3, 6-2.
“Not playing last weekend was very tough for me,” Appel said. “I don’t like sitting out but I don’t think that affected me in my match today. I worked really hard in practice this week after sitting out for eight days. I felt good going into this match and was ready to play.”
This was the Hoosiers’ first road match of the season after having their first seven at home. Appel said the courts were a lot slower and the atmosphere was much different from the one at the IU Tennis Center.
“I think being on the road is a little tougher with comfortability,” Appel said. “We got a good practice the day before the match and played a lot of points this morning, but of course having the fans against us is always a challenge.”
The loss brings IU to 5-3 on the season. Despite the loss, Azcui said he was pleased with the play he saw toward the end of the match.
“We did compete,” Azcui said. “I’m proud of my seniors, they really stepped up and everyone else competed really hard.”
Next weekend, the IU will return home and have matches against Notre Dame on Feb. 18 and Kentucky on Feb. 19.
