March 21, 2005
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THIS WEEK — Iowa (9-4, 1-1 in the Big Ten) will travel to Columbus, OH, to take on #18 Ohio State (6-5, 0-0 in the Big Ten) Sunday at 1 p.m. The dual will be held at the Stickney Tennis Center. Iowa holds a 24-21 series lead over the Buckeyes.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE — Ohio State is led by the nation’s top-ranked doubles team of juniors Scott Green and Ross Wilson. The duo have a 12-1 overall mark and are 3-1 in dual competition. Wilson and freshman Drew Eberly are ranked 11th, going 9-2 this season. In singles competition, Ohio State is led by sophomores Joey Atas and Devin Mullings. Atas, who was named Big Ten men’s tennis player of the week March 4, is ranked 35th in the nation. He is 17-7 with a 3-3 dual mark. Mullings is ranked 58th with an 11-5 overall and 4-2 dual record. Head Coach Ty Tucker is 114-37 in six seasons at Ohio State. Ohio State will face Coastal Carolina today and Vanderbilt Wednesday as part of its spring trip.
LAST WEEK — Iowa went 1-2 in its spring trip to California, defeating #75 Denver (4-3), and losing to Central Florida (5-1) and Dartmouth (4-3). The Hawkeyes swept the doubles point against Denver and picked up singles wins from junior Brett Taylor, sophomore Johnny Hoak and freshman Bart van Monsjou. Against Central Florida, freshman J.P. Ritchie scored a singles win at No. 3, and a doubles win with junior Aaron Schaechterle. Ritchie, Taylor and junior Chaitu Malempati all scored singles wins against Dartmouth, but the Big Green won the doubles point to win the dual.
QUITE THE PAIR — The doubles team of junior Aaron Schaechterle and freshman J.P. Ritchie are having a lot of success in the No. 3 spot this season. The duo is 12-3 overall and 11-2 in dual competition.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton — Steve Houghton is the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches and is in his 24th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes. Houghton has a career record of 270-264 (.506). He became the winningest coach in Iowa tennis history in 1992 and is a member of the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame. He has coached 15 players to 29 all-Big Ten selections including Tyler Cleveland, who became the first men’s player in Big Ten history to be named Big Ten Player of the Year twice. Four of Houghton’s athletes have also been selected Big Ten Sportsman of the Year.
NEXT COMPETITION — Iowa will host Michigan State Friday, April 1 at 1:30 p.m. and Michigan Sunday, April 3 at 10 a.m. The meets will be held at the City Park Tennis Courts, weather permitting. In case of inclement weather, the meets will be held at the University Recreation Building.