Feb. 25, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – – The University of Iowa men’s tennis team defeated in-state rival Drake Wednesday, 5-2, at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. With the victory, the 59th-ranked Hawkeyes move to 5-1 on the season.
“This is a really good win for us against a team that we have struggled against some in the past,” said Head Coach Steve Houghton. “I am very happy with the progress we are making each match. Once again our doubles play was outstanding. We are now 16-2 in doubles play this season.”
Iowa swept all three doubles matches to claim the point. The Hawkeyes have now won the doubles point in all six of their matches this season. The No. 1 doubles duo of Christian Bierich and Nikita Zotov defeated Evgeny Silitski and Guilherme Marsiglia, 8-2. At No. 2 doubles, Reinoud Haal and Greg Holm defeated Mauricio Ballivan and Ivan Mendoza, 8-4. Tommy McGeorge and Will Vasos continued their stellar play at the No. 3 doubles position. The pair defeated Maor Zirkin and Ricardo Lau, 8-3.
Iowa kept the momentum going into singles play, taking four of six singles matches. Zotov defeated Silitski 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 2 singles position. At No. 5 singles, McGeorge defeated Lau 6-2, 4-0, ret. Christian Bierich then clinched the Hawkeyes third-straight victory, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 over Zirkin at the No. 1 spot. Haal defeated Ballivan at the No. 3 position, 6-1, 6-7, 6-3.
Iowa will host DePaul Saturday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Admission is free.
#59 Iowa - 5#53 Drake - 2
Doubles:1. Bierich/Zotov (IOWA) def. Silitski/Marsiglia (DU) 8-22. Haal/Holm (IOWA) def. Ballivan/Mendoza (DU) 8-43. McGeorge/Vasos (IOWA) def. Zirkin/Lau (DU) 8-3
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