<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa men’s tennis team hosted competition from #54 PennState today in the RecreationalBuilding. The Hawkeyes snapped an eight-game losing streak to upset PennState, 5-2. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
In singles, sophomore Bart van Monsjou snagged his first win of the season over a ranked opponent. He defeated 110th-ranked Mark Barry in the No. 1 match, 6-2, 6-4. In the No. 2 match, freshman Christian Bierich defeated Ryan Berger, 6-0, 6-1. Sophomore J.P. Ritchie defeated Michael James, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, in the No. 3 match. Senior Chaitu Malempati was defeated by Adam Slagter in the No. 4 match, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Senior Brett Taylor defeated Brendan Lynch, 6-1, 6-1, in the No. 5 match. Freshman Greg Holm played the No. 6 match and was defeated by Bradley Hunter, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1).
In doubles competition, van Monsjou paired with Ritchie in the No. 1 match. They defeated Barry and Slagter, 9-8 (5). In the No. 2 match, Taylor and Malempati were defeated by Bradley Hunter and Berger 9-8 (5). Senior Aaron Schaechterle and Bierich teamed in the No. 3 match to defeat Scatliffe and James Dwyer, 8-2.
“For the first time in awhile we really performed well at each position in singles and doubles,” said Head Coach Steve Houghton. “Our guys have hung in there through a lot of ups and downs this year.”
Iowa is now 6-11 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten. Next weekend the Hawkeyes will finish the regular season as they travel to face Purdue Saturday and Illinois Sunday. Competition begins at noon both days.
Results
Iowa 5
#54 Penn State 2
Singles:
No. 1 Bart van Monsjou (IOWA) def. #110 Mark Barry (PSU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 Christian Bierich (IOWA) def. Ryan Berger (PSU) 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 J.P. Ritchie (IOWA) def. Michael James (PSU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 Adam Slagter (PSU) def. Chaitu Malempati (IOWA) 7-6 (4), 6-3
No. 5 Brett Taylor (IOWA) def. Brendan Lynch (PSU) 6-1, 6-1
No. 6 Bradley Hunter (PSU) def. Greg Holm (IOWA) 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1)
Doubles:
No. 1 van Monsjou/Ritchie (IOWA) def. Barry/Slagter (PSU) 9-8 (5)
No. 2 Hunter/Berger (PSU) def. Taylor/Malempati (IOWA) 9-8 (5)
No. 3 Aaron Schaechterle/Bierich (IOWA) def. Scatliffe/James Dwyer (PSU) 8-2