Purdue eliminates men's tennis

Purdue has been the Michigan men's tennis team's nemesis for the last part of its season. Now, after losing two matches in a row to the feared Boilermakers, the Wolverines' season has ended.

DANA LINNANE/Daily Michigan tennis player Dave Paradzik, like the rest of his team, lost this past weekend at the NCAA Regionals.

The venue was different, but the match played out pretty much the same. At the NCAA Regionals in Notre Dame last weekend, the Wolverines fell just short once again. The Boilermakers, the No. 4 seed, were able to send the fifth-seeded Wolverines home after the first round, defeating them 4-2.

This was a familiar outcome for Michigan. The Wolverines had lost to Purdue, 4-3, in both the third place match of the Big Ten Tournament and in the last game of the season.

Purdue had some injuries in the Big Ten Tournament, but was able to play with its full line-up at the regionals. For the third straight time Purdue took the doubles point easily, defeating Matt Wright and Jake Raiton at No. 2 doubles, 8-4. Miki Pusztai and Brad McFarlane also lost at No. 3 doubles, 8-5. This suspended the doubles point and gave Purdue the 1-0 advantage.

Michigan was only able to take two points, as Matt Wright defeated Cris James in a singles match, 7-6, 6-1. John Long also won his match against Steve Brizendine in convincing fashion 7-5, 6-2.

But those were the only points Michigan would receive. Senior's David Paradzik and Brook Blain ended their careers at Michigan falling in their singles matches. Paradzik lost to Jamie Gordon 7-6, 6-2, and Blain lost to Dan Swan 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

"We were just inconsistent," Michigan assistant coach Dan Goldberg said.

05-18-98