Batty heads into final Big Ten tourney

IU women's tennis team captain Sarah Batty has always been ahead of the game -- both in sports and her personal life.\nAfter moving from England to Florida to attend prep school at age 14, Batty graduated high school in two years and began her college tennis career at IU at just 17.\nNow at 20, the senior is facing what could possibly be her final weekend of collegiate tennis when the Hoosiers travel to Champaign, Ill., for the Big Ten Championships Friday. Batty is a senior leader on the team, anchored IU at the No. 1 singles spot all season and has been named to two All-Big Ten teams in her career.\nIt was at 18, however, when Batty teamed up with Linda Tran and began a friendship that would earn them both a title they previously had only dreamed of achieving: All-American.\nOriginally, the pairing was made for the good of the team. In 2004, the Hoosiers doubles teams were not clicking as they approached the opening of the Big Ten season, and Tran knew something had to be done. She decided to sacrifice her best chance at a deep run into the NCAA Doubles Championships by convincing IU coach Lin Loring to split up her and longtime doubles partner Karie Schlukebir. IU's No. 1 tandem of Tran and Schlukebir had opened the season ranked No. 24 in the nation, but Tran felt the team needed a change. \nBatty, a sophomore at the time, teamed up with Tran, a senior, for their first competitive match March 6, 2004, in a doubleheader against Ball State and Depaul, where they picked up a pair of solid 8-2 wins. \n"We ended up clicking right off the bat," Tran said.\nBatty and Tran continued to roll in the Big Ten season, helping the Hoosiers tie for first in the conference that year and going 9-0 approaching the NCAA Championships. As their wins grew in number, so did the strength of their friendship.\n"We hit it off right away, but we didn't become best friends until we started playing doubles together," Batty said.\nThe duo continued its tear during the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga., reaching the elite eight and garnering All-American honors.\nTran said Batty's selflessness fueled their run.\n"She wanted to win for me," Tran said. "She was genuinely happy for me. Rather than, 'Oh my gosh, I'm an All-American!' It was, 'Oh my gosh, you're an All-American!' I don't even know if she realized that she earned it, too."\nWhen asked about playing with her best friend, Batty spoke with emotion in her voice.\n"Oh, I loved playing doubles with Linda," Batty said. "(The NCAA Championships) was a great experience, and to experience it with one of your best friends was even better."\nThough Tran graduated two years ago, the two still talk on a daily basis. \nThis season, Batty took on the challenge of playing in the No. 1 singles position -- a challenge she has learned to relish. \n"It's hard playing No. 1 because you always have a tough match, but I think I've done pretty well. I've enjoyed it," she said.\nBatty has held her own at the position against some of the top players in the nation, going 14-10 despite the fact that nine of IU's opponents are currently ranked in the top 50.\nIt is in doubles, however, where Batty has always made her mark.\nTeamed with junior Laura McGaffigan, Batty has notched a mark of 17-6 this year.\n"Sarah is an amazing doubles player," McGaffigan said. "I'm glad she's my partner."\nThough her college career is coming to a close, her competitive spirit is still strong.\n"I just love competition," Batty said. "I love being on the court, getting pumped up. I think that's what team competition is all about"