Jan. 31, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa men’s tennis team opened its spring season with a victory over Northern Illinois Saturday, 6-1. With the victory, the 59th-ranked Hawkeyes moved to 1-0 on the season.
“It was a very good match for us against a much improved Northern Illinois team,” said Head Coach Steve Houghton. “I am particularly happy with the play of our two new guys, Will Vasos and Nick Zotov.”
Iowa claimed the doubles point, sweeping all three matches. Tommy McGeorge and Will Vasos paired up at the No. 3 position. The duo defeated Hansen/Monroy 8-3. Reinoud Haal and Greg Holm defeated Stewart/VanderPloeg at the No. 2 spot, 8-6. Christian Bierich and Nikita Zotov stormed back from an early deficit to claim victory at the No. 1 position. The duo defeated Grubisic/Poziomski 9-7.
The Hawkeyes kept their momentum going into singles competition. In his first match as a Hawkeye, Zotov defeated Pawel Poziomski in the No. 2 position 6-1, 6-1. At the No. 5 spot, McGeorge defeated Ross VanderPloeg 6-1, 6-3. Vasos, competing in his first dual match, was victorious at the No. 4 position. The freshman defeated Shaun Stewart 6-4, 6-4. Haal and Holm also claimed singles victories. Haal defeated Matt Hansen 2-6, 6-0, 6-4 at the No. 3 position and Holm defeated Javier Bernabe 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 6 position.
Iowa will travel to Indiana State Friday, Feb. 6. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (CST).
#59 Iowa - 6Northern Illinois - 1
Doubles:1. Bierich/Zotov (IOWA) def. Grubisic/Poziomski (NIU) 9-72. Haal/Holm (IOWA) def. Stewart/VanderPloeg (NIU) 8-63. McGeorge/Vasos (IOWA) def. Hansen/Monroy (NIU) 8-3
Singles:1. Jurica Grubisic (NIU) def. Christian Bierich (IOWA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-32. Nikita Zotov (IOWA) def. Pawel Poziomski (NIU) 6-1, 6-13. Reinoud Haal (IOWA) def. Matt Hansen (NIU) 2-6, 6-0, 6-44. Will Vasos (IOWA) def. Shaun Stewart (NIU) 6-4, 6-45. Tommy McGeorge (IOWA) def. Ross VanderPloeg (NIU) 6-1, 6-36. Greg Holm (IOWA) def. Javier Bernabe (NIU) 6-4, 6-4
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