Terps to Open B1G Slate at Purdue
2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland women's tennis team will begin its conference schedule this weekend as the Terps head to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on Purdue.
The Terps are 4-0 on the season, and have matched their best start in three seasons.
LAST TIME OUT
Maryland is coming off its most dominant performance of the season, defeating visiting Richmond 7-0.
The Terps were led by seniors Kristina Hovsepyan and Alexandra Stanova, who won together at first doubles and then individually at fifth and first singles respectively. Maryland clinched the doubles point early in the match, and then won all six singles matches en route to a sweep of the Spiders.
SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue is 5-4 on the season, with their most recent match ending in a 6-1 loss against Arkansas. The Boilermakers started the spring slate 5-0, but have dropped four straight since.
The Terps and Boilermakers have met three times prior to Sunday's match-up, and the Terps own a 2-1 advantage in the series. In the most recent meeting, Maryland claimed a 6-1 victory.
Live stream and live stats will be provided during the match. The Terps and Boilermakers will begin play at noon from the Schwartz Tennis Center.
DOUBLES DOMINANCE
Maryland has been paced by its doubles performances, taking the doubles point in three-of-four matches this spring.
Kristina Hovsepyan and Alexandra Stanova have picked up right where they left off in the fall, grabbing two wins in both matches they have appeared in.
KEEPING UP WITH THE TERPS
The Terps' fall campaign featured five doubles championships, including one by seniors Alexandra Stanova and Kristina Hovsepyan, who won the ITA Atlantic Regionals and advanced to ITA National Indoors in New York City.
Sophomore Caroline Williams was a part of three of those doubles championships, teaming up with fellow sophomore Arnelle Sullivan to win the Bedford Cup, and then with junior Ekaterina Tour to win the Cissie Leary Invitational and the Kitty Harrison Invitational.
Maryland also had contributions from its two freshmen, Saya Usui and Katsiaryna Yemelyanenka. The two won their first collegiate doubles tournament when they took first place at the Tribe Invitational.
Maryland will come into the spring season featuring its first preseason-ranked singles player in five years. Junior Ekaterina Tour cracked the ITA Preseason Singles ranking, the first Terp to do so since Cristina Stancu in 2012. Tour was also ranked the No. 14 singles player in the Atlantic Region.
Teammates Alexandra Stanova and Kristina Hovsepyan were tabbed the No. 1 doubles duo in the Atlantic Region, and Stanova was named the No. 20 singles player in the Atlantic Region.
Be sure to keep up with the Terps on Twitter throughout the season.
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