Coming off his team’s unsuccessful outing Saturday against Illinois, sophomore Willy Lock battled back from a one-set deficit to put Northwestern ahead, 4-1, clinching the dual meet against Purdue on Sunday.
With the doubles point in hand and their No. 1 player off the court, the Wildcats won five of six singles matches against Purdue (3-14, 0-8 Big Ten) for the victory.
Coach Paul Torricelli said senior Tommy Hanus strained a hip flexor Saturday before he retired during his singles match in the Cats’ 5-2 loss to Illinois (18-3, 8-0). Hanus played with senior Chuck Perrin in their doubles match against Purdue but sat out during the singles contests.
“We were very much in that match,” Torricelli said. “Tommy was going to a third set.”
After this weekend’s dual matches, the Cats (10-11, 5-4) improved to fifth place in the Big Ten. Lock won both of his singles matches, extending his winning streak to six. In each of his matches, Lock dropped the first set but followed up with two strong sets.
“I’ve been really relaxed,” Lock said, “and my concentration has been there.”
Torricelli said Lock is having an excellent season.
“He really distiguished himself, and people are taking note,” Torricelli said. “He’s going to be very important for us in the future.”
In singles play, sophomore Matt Christian was the other NU player to win both of his singles matches over the weekend, as all of the players were each bumped up one spot Sunday due to Hanus’ injury.
Perrin, junior Adam Schaechterle and sophomore Christian Tempke all dropped matches Saturday but bounced back with wins Sunday.
“It’s a team effort,” Torricelli said. “Everybody contributed (Sunday).”
Hanus and Perrin came close to extending their doubles winning streak to six, but fell short at Illinois, 8-6. Both that pair and the duo of Lock and senior Justin Hoeveler earned wins Sunday.
This weekend marked the first time Lock and Tempke did not play together since March 5 at Tulane. Lock paired up with Schaechterle on Saturday and Hoeveler on Sunday, while Tempke played with Christian both days.
“I know everyone on the team and I feel confident playing with anyone,” Lock said. “I think I can do well with anyone on the team.”
Torricelli said he split up Lock and Tempke because they were not winning.
“They’re both very talented and can help someone else,” Torricelli said. “I felt that was better for the team.”
The Cats are back in action Sunday in Evanston as they battle Ohio State in the final Big Ten match of the season.
“They’re our last chance to beat a team to help us get into the postseason,” Torricelli said. “It’s really our season on Sunday.”
Reach Jason Prager at [email protected].
