March 20, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA – – The University of Iowa men’s tennis team defeated 68th-ranked Michigan State Friday, 4-3, in its Big Ten Conference opener. With the victory the 67th-ranked Hawkeyes move to 9-2 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play on the season.
“This was a great start to the Big Ten season against a very tough Michigan State team,” said Head Coach Steve Houghton. “I thought we did a great job of competing when the chips were down.”
Iowa lost two of three doubles matches to lose the point for only the second time this season. Tommy McGeorge and Will Vasos defeated Alex Forger and Scott Rasmussen at the No. 3 position, 8-3. The duo is undefeated in dual match play at 11-0.
McGeorge got things going for Iowa in singles play, defeating Ronnie Hulewicz, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 5 position. Nikita Zotov defeated Scott Rasmussen 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 3 position and Reinoud Haal defeated Alex Forger 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, at the No. 2 position. Both Zotov and Haal played at those positions for the first time this season. Vasos then clinched the victory for the Hawkeyes. The freshman defeated Austin Brooks 6-7, 6-1, 7-6, at the No. 4 position.
Iowa will host 40th-ranked Michigan Sunday. The match is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Admission is free.
#67 Iowa - 4#68 Michigan State - 3
Doubles:1. Allare/Norville (MSU) def. #55 Bierich/Zotov (IOWA) 9-82. Brooks/Stratton (MSU) def. Haal/Holm (IOWA) 8-43. McGeorge/Vasos (IOWA) def. Forger/Rasmussen (MSU) 8-3
Singles:1. John Allare (MSU) def. Christian Bierich (IOWA) 6-3, 6-12. Reinoud Haal (IOWA) def. Alex Forger (MSU) 5-7, 6-3, 6-13. Nikita Zotov (IOWA) def. Scott Rasmussen (MSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-04. Will Vasos (IOWA) def. Austin Brooks (MSU) 6-7, 6-1, 7-65. Tommy McGeorge (IOWA) def. Ronnie Hulewicz (MSU) 6-3, 6-46. Jason Norville (MSU) def. Greg Holm (IOWA) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://hawkeyesports.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>