Hawkeyes To Host #64 Northwestern

April 4, 2005

Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

THIS WEEK — Iowa (9-7, 1-4 in the Big Ten) will host #64 Northwestern (7-10, 2-3 in the Big Ten) Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The meet 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. Northwestern leads the series, 51-23.

SCOUTING NORTHWESTERN — The Wildcats stopped a five-dual losing streak Sunday afternoon in Evanston with their 4-3 win over #63 Penn State. Northwestern is currently ranked 64th in the nation. The Wildcats will face #60 Minnesota Friday in Minneapolis, MN.

YOU LOOK FAMILIAR — Hawkeye junior Aaron Schaechterle’s twin brother, Adam, plays tennis at Northwestern. Adam is 6-11 overall in singles at the No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 positions. Adam has also played at all three doubles positions in dual competition. The twins could face each other as Aaron and doubles partner J.P. Ritchie are a fixture in the No. 3 doubles spot, posting an 11-5 dual and 12-6 overall record this season.

LAST WEEK — The Hawkeyes lost identical 6-1 decisions to #72 Michigan State and #56 Michigan in Iowa City. The lone Hawkeye to win a match during the weekend was junior Brett Taylor. The Salina, KS, native defeated Joseph McWilliams of Michigan State (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) Friday and David Anving (6-1, 3-6, 6-3) Sunday at the No. 5 singles position.

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 270-265 (.500). 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.

QUOTING HOUGHTON — “In our last couple of losses, the matches were a lot closer than the team scores indicated. We are definitely competing with some very good teams, but individually and team-wise we need to get over the hump and win some matches.”

NEXT COMPETITION — The Hawkeyes will hit the road to face two Big Ten foes. Iowa will face #63 Penn State April 15 at 2 p.m. (CT) in University Park, PA and #54 Indiana April 17 at 11 a.m. (CT) in Bloomington, IN.