“[We’re trying to] feed off each other rather than playing individually, because that’s what a team does,” Rosekrans said. “We’re trying to get some solidarity going.”

At the No. 2 position, No. 115 sophomore Hideko Tachibana put forth a strong effort against No. 85 White. Tachibana lost a close first set, 6-4, and the second set saw potential for a comeback as the athletes swapped games, ultimately knotting the score at 5-5. But Tachibana could not hold on in the end, and she lost her second set, 7-5.

At No. 5, freshman Alexandra Lehman dropped her match in two sets, 6-3, 6-1. Sophomore Samantha Gridley likewise had a tough match at No. 6, losing 6-3, 6-2.

PURDUE 5, HARVARD 2

Coming into the match against unranked Purdue on Saturday, the Crimson felt confident in its skills and abilities. But the team came up short, garnering only two points from two singles victories.

“[The Boilermakers] were unranked, and we were going in as favorites,” Rosekrans said. “They brought everything they could. They had an amazing day, and I guess we weren’t prepared, so we lost the doubles point, which discouraged us going into singles. We came up short.”

In doubles, Rosekrans and Lehman teamed up for the sole victory, defeating Anna Dushkina and Remi Martin, 8-6.

At No. 1 singles, Cao continued her solid play, handily sweeping her opponent, 6-3, 6-1.

Norton in the No. 3 position served up the other singles win for Harvard, winning in three sets, 6-3, 0-6, 6-3.

Purdue’s athletes proved too much for Tachibana, Rosekrans, Lehman, and freshman Sophie Chang. The women all faced tough losses in their singles matches.

“This is all in preparation for the Ivy League season,” Rosekrans said. “It’s definitely good practice.”