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Hawkeyes Return Home To Host ToledoHawkeyes Return Home To Host Toledo
Men's Tennis

Hawkeyes Return Home To Host Toledo

Feb. 11, 2008

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THIS WEEK — The No. 72 University of Iowa men’s tennis team (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) will host Toledo Saturday at 9 a.m. The match will take place at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center. Admission is free.

SCOUTING TOLEDO — Toledo, 6-4 overall, has won three in a row after defeating IUPUI, Duquesne and Dayton. The Rockets have also defeated Valparaiso, Wright State and Xavier. Their losses came against DePaul, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 47 Kentucky and No. 63 Michigan State. They are coached by Al Wermer. Wermer is in his 13th season.

THE SERIES — The Hawkeyes lead the series against Toledo, 6-0. The two teams last squared off Feb. 18, 2007. The Hawkeyes won the meet, 5-2. Iowa claimed four singles victories (van Monsjou, Ritchie, Holm, Dwyer) and the doubles point.

LAST TIME OUT — Iowa traveled to Lincoln, NE, for its first road test of the season. Friday, the Hawkeyes defeated No. 61 Nebraska, 5-2. No. 66 Denver then defeated the Hawkeyes, 5-2 in Lincoln on Saturday. Reinoud Haal and Christian Bierich both finished 2-0 in singles competition on the weekend. In addition, freshman Austen Kauss saw his first action of the spring, as he teamed up with Bierich in doubles play.

BIG TEN TOURNAMENT — The University of Iowa will be hosting this year’s Big Ten Tournament, April 24-27. The tournament will be held at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex (indoor) and the Klotz Outdoor Courts.

HEAD COACH Steve Houghton — Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches, is in his 27th season as head coach of the Hawkeyes. Houghton has a career record of 285-299 (.488). His best season came in 1984 when Iowa won a school record 21 matches and two Hawkeyes earned all-Big Ten honors. Four of Houghton’s athletes have also been selected Big Ten Sportsman of the Year. He became the winningest coach in Iowa tennis history in 1992 and is a member of the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame. While playing at Iowa, Houghton had a career winning percentage of .727 (40-15), second best in Iowa history.

QUOTING COACH HOUGHTON — “Toledo will be another strong test. They have played some of the top teams in the country very close.”

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