A fresh impact
Freshmen trio bolsters Purdue women's tennis team to a 7-2 victory over Lady Lions

By TIM HYLAND
Collegian Sports Writer

An outsider to the Purdue women's tennis team may find it startling that three of the Boilermaker's top four players are freshmen. Coach Jim Iandolo, however, is not at all surprised.

"We needed a couple of impact players to turn our program around," he said. "They have definitely made an impact."

Iandolo got just what he needed with the addition of freshmen standouts Mary Beth Maggart, Hally Cohen and Amanda Scott. They helped the Boilermakers to a 7-2 victory over the Lady Lions last Sunday at the Penn State Tennis Club.

The trio has revived the once inept Purdue tennis team, which had for years been a cellar dweller.

"(Their performance) was totally expected from the first time we recruited them," Iandolo said. "Not only are they three freshmen, they are three freshmen who really want to work hard and have positive mental attitudes."

Throughout the first half of the season, the freshmen have combined to post a 37-27 record in singles play while playing in the second, third and fourth postions. Last Sunday against Penn State, both Cohen and Scott won, while Maggart fell in three sets to Penn State's Tricia Lehman.

"I think that the pressure got to Mary Beth a little bit out there. That, combined with the fact that Tricia has greatly improved, made a big difference," Iandolo said. "Mary Beth will just have to learn some things from that."

In a recent road trip to Texas, the Boilermakers took on Houston and nationally ranked Texas A&M and Rice. Cohen and Scott went undefeated, playing key roles in a big win over Houston.

"It was neat. It was good for the team morale and also for our personal growth," Cohen said. "It was also a learning experience."

Scott also said the Texas road trip was a good experience.

"Playing the national competition that we did in Houston has really helped us mentally and physically," she said. "And now we know what to expect."

Maggart and Scott also comprise a doubles team which Cohen described as "incredible." The pair has racked up a 10-7 overall record, 2-0 while playing in the No. 1 position. Last Sunday, Maggart and Scott displayed their sometimes dominating skill in defeating Lady Lions Kellie Murphy and Shannon Etzweiler in straight sets.

"For our first time playing together, I think we are playing really well," Scott said. "We hope definitely within our four years to win the Big Ten championships."

Although the freshmen have consistently led the Boilermakers throughout the year, they are not quite ready to assume leadership roles, Iandolo said. There hasn't been a problem with jealousy among the older players because of the attitudes of the trio, he added.

"They are very respectful of the older players," Iandolo said. "Everybody has melded together as one."

Cohen said her freshmen teammates don't get as much respect as the older players, but that their performances on the court have earned them some leadership responsiblities. Maggart also said winning has earned them some respect.

"We're getting more aggressive and learning how to play against different people," she added. "It's hard to be a leader because you're so naive, but I think we are leaders in a way because we have been winning and helping the team win."