Irish rout Badgers with 9-0 win
By KEVIN BERCHOU
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame women's tennis team was hoping for great weather on Sunday for its home match against the Wisconsin Badgers, since the Irish wanted badly to play the match outdoors.
The weather wasn't sunny, but the play of the Irish certainly was. In thrashing the Badgers 9-0, the Irish left no doubt that bright skies are ahead. Brimming with confidence following a trouncing of the Michigan Wolverines the Irish had little in trouble in blasting the Badgers.
"We were all pretty confident after beating Michigan," sophomore Becky Varnum said. "We had two great days of practice and we all just wanted to get out there and play well."
The Irish didn't just play well, they dominated, losing just one set in singles play and sweeping the doubles matches. The team improved its record to 15-5 and scored its fourth consecutive win over Wisconsin.
Sixteenth-ranked Michelle Dasso breezed through her match with the Badgers'
April Gabler, making her foe look foolish with a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
"Michelle played really well. She was the first one off the court," Varnum said.
Varnum also played strong, winning her match in straight sets. Kelly Zalinski, Lindsey Green and Katie Cunha all scored straight sets victories as the Irish pounded the Badgers.
Nina Vaughan was tested, but held on to take her match in three sets to keep the shutout intact.
"You have to win the ugly matches," Varnum said. "Our coaches do a good job of keeping us focused so we don't wear down in the late sets."
While it rained outside, it poured indoors on the Badgers. The Irish swept the doubles losing a total of just four points as they left their opponents looking all wet.
While the Irish have played tremendously of late, their victories have come against lesser opponents.
The season's schedule is both top and bottom heavy, with the majority of the tougher opponents book ending some softer competition.
"We haven't played a lot of top teams lately," Varnum said. "But it gets tougher from here on in."
Notre Dame will take on Purdue and William and Mary in the coming weeks.
The Wisconsin match may have been the calm before the storm.
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 3, 2000
