“This has been a tough two week stretch with spring break combined with five conference matches on the road,” IU Coach Lin Loring said. “All total, we’ve been on the road 15 of the last 18 days. I think the tank is a little empty,”
IU acquired its first win in its doubles play in the third match with senior Alecia Kauss and freshman Sarah Baron (8-4) and then in the first match with sophomore Kim Schmider and senior Katie Klyczek (8-5).
Baron also beat Penn State’s Jacqueline Zuhse in her singles play in the sixth match (7-5, 2-6, 1-0).
The Hoosiers defeated the Nittany Lions in the first singles match when Klyczek faced a tiebreaker against Katia Bilk and overcame Penn State with a victory of 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 as the final tally.
The Hoosiers eventually fell to the Nittany Lions in their singles play.
The Nittany Lions won their first four matches in singles against the Hoosiers, allowing the Nittany Lions to take the lead.
IU then headed to Ohio State on Sunday. The Hoosiers suffered a loss to the Buckeyes 6-1 in Columbus, Ohio, at the Varsity Tennis Center.
“Both Penn State and Ohio State are tough venues, they are both still undefeated in conference matches at home,” Loring said. “We played OK at both places but we had to play great to win, and we didn’t.”
IU earned its one point in the fifth singles match when freshman Stephanie Smith beat OSU’s Olivia Sneed 6-3, 6-2.
After playing their past five matches on the road, the Hoosiers return home to Bloomington to play 11 a.m. Saturday against Michigan State.
“We are excited to play five of our last six matches at home,” Loring said. “If we can put together a good home stand, we should be in good shape for the Big Ten tournament. If we can get rested and little more injury-free, we should be fine.”
