Jan. 16, 2007
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THIS WEEK — The Iowa women’s tennis team will open its spring season by hosting the Hawkeye Invitational Friday through Sunday. Competition will take place at the West Campus Tennis-Recreation Center. Friday, doubles competition will begin at 4 p.m. with singles beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday’s matches will start at 10 a.m. for doubles while singles will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday will be singles finals with competition set to begin at 10 a.m.
THE HAWKEYES — Iowa is currently ranked 36th in the FILA Collegiate Tennis Rankings. Competing for the Hawkeyes will be Jennifer Barnes, Merel Beelen, Kayla Berry, Kelcie Klockenga, Jacqueline Lee, Hillary Mintz, and Mili Veselinovic.
THE COMPETITION — Iowa will face competition from Northern Iowa, Iowa State, and Northern Illinois. Northern Iowa returns seven players from 2006 when it went 14-6, including 4-6 in the Midwest Valley Conference. Northern Iowa adds one newcomer to its 2007 roster. Iowa State returns six players from 2006. Northern Illinois returns six and adds two to the 2007 roster. Sophomore Jenny Edner is a second team all-Mid-American Conference honoree from 2006, and posted a 10-14 singles record in her freshman season.
LAST SEASON — The Hawkeyes ended the 2006 season with a 9-1 Big Ten record, the best league mark in the history of Iowa women’s tennis. Head Coach Daryl Greenan was named Big Ten Coach of the Year. Iowa defeated Illinois in the first round of the Big Ten Championships (4-0) before falling to Michigan in the semifinals (4-3). The Hawkeyes faced Florida International at the NCAA regionals, and were defeated, 4-1, in the first round. Iowa finished the season ranked 33rd nationally, with an 18-6 overall record.
HEAD COACH Daryl Greenan — Coach Greenan begins his third season as head coach of the Hawkeyes. Greenan led the Hawkeyes to an 18-6 overall record in 2006, going 9-1 in Big Ten competition for a second place league finish. Greenan has a 32-16 overall record in two seasons at Iowa. Toni Neykova is the assistant coach and begins her fifth season with the Hawkeyes.
QUOTING GREENAN — “I am looking forward to seeing our girls compete at the Hawkeye Invitational this weekend. They have been off for awhile and they need these matches to get ready for our spring season. We have not had much time to prepare but I am confident they will do well.”