Hoosiers look to win against ranked opponent

Two weeks after losing to No. 24 Oklahoma 4-3, IU will get another chance to knock off a top-25 opponent Friday at 5 p.m.

The No. 44 Hoosiers (9-3) will travel to Nashville, Tenn., to face No. 25 Vanderbilt, a team that features the nation’s No. 57 singles player, Ryan Lipman, and two top-40 doubles teams.

All three of IU’s losses this season have come at the hands of top-25 opponents, but IU coach Randy Bloemendaal said he thinks his team is getting more confident playing against top competition.

“What’s good about our schedule is I think we’re currently playing at that level so it’s just a matter of your mind doing it and then believing every time out that you can overcome that level,” Bloemendaal said. “I think we’ve had those week-to-week in our schedule, and our guys are getting closer and closer to coming through and doing the right things you need to do to be successful in those matches.”

As IU’s No. 1 player, junior Jeremy Langer will likely face Lipman and one of Vanderbilt’s ranked doubles duos with partner Santiago Gruter.

“Any time you play a good school, they’re going to have some good players, so that’s kind of expected by now,” Langer said. “I’m going to approach the match the same way that I’ve approached every other match.

“I’m looking to go out and be really competitive and have a good match overall.”