IU took down Michigan State on Friday but couldn’t keep up with No. 11 Michigan a day later, splitting the two matches of its brief road stand.
The Hoosiers broke their season-worst losing streak with a win over the Spartans, but following their loss to the Wolverines, IU once again fell to an overall and conference losing record.
In both of their matches, the Hoosiers started strong but faltered late. Despite dropping the last two singles matches, IU held its ground against Michigan State long enough to claim the 4-3 victory.
Junior Antonio Cembellin halted his five-match losing streak with a straight-sets win, and sophomore Zac Brodney’s three-set victory clinched the win for IU.
The Hoosiers weren’t able to keep up against the Wolverines. IU started out strong by grabbing the doubles point and picked up one of the first singles matches as well.
In the end, Michigan was able to overpower IU as both of the Wolverines’ top 30-ranked singles players finished off their matches to seal a 4-2 win over the Hoosiers.
Although IU currently sits at 9-10 on the season, one bright spot for the Hoosiers has been their recent doubles play. After starting off their season 4-7, IU has now won five of their last eight points.
The Hoosiers have now earned the doubles point in consecutive matches for just the second time all season, and their play against Michigan earned them their first doubles point win against a ranked opponent all year.
In singles, the highlight of the weekend was the performance of freshman Andrew Redding. Coming into this road trip, he was undefeated in singles play, largely because he had only played against weaker opponents.
IU Coach Jeremy Wurtzman has talked highly about Redding in the past, and Redding is starting to validate his coach’s remarks.
Now with his two wins this weekend, Redding is starting to prove his strength of schedule hasn’t been the only factor behind his success. He is now 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in conference play.
Following this weekend’s road stand in Michigan, IU’s away record sits at 3-6 on the year. With only two road matches remaining, the Hoosiers have guaranteed themselves a losing record in that department. This week, they will return to Bloomington for two home matches.
