Hawkeyes Return Home To Face Big Ten Rivals

Hawkeyes Return Home To Face Big Ten Rivals

March 31, 2008

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THIS WEEK — The 46th-ranked University of Iowa men’s tennis team (9-6 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) will return home this week. The Hawkeyes host Minnesota Saturday at 2 p.m. and 70th-ranked Michigan State Sunday at 11 a.m. Competition for both dual matches will be held at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Admission is free.

SCOUTING MINNESOTA — Minnesota is 2-14 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten action. The Gophers are led by 87th-ranked senior, Raoul Schwark. They are coached by Geoff Young. He is in his second season at Minnesota.

SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE — Michigan State has a record of 11-8 overall and 0-5 in the Big Ten. They are led by Gene Orlando. He is in his 17th season.

THE SERIES — Iowa is 33-50-3 all-time against Minnesota. The Gophers defeated the Hawkeyes in Iowa City last year, 4-3. Iowa leads the all-time series again Michigan State, 29-25. The Spartans won last year’s match in East Lansing, 5-2.

LAST TIME OUT — Iowa traveled to 14th-ranked Michigan Friday. The Wolverines defeated the Hawkeyes, 5-2. Iowa then fell at 51st-ranked Penn State Sunday, 6-1. The highlight of the weekend was senior Bart van Monsjou defeating two nationally ranked singles players.

IN THE RANKINGS — Iowa is ranked No. 46. Rankings are produced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). They are released every Wednesday and can be found at collegetennisonline.com.

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 294-305 (.491). 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.

Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.