April 6, 2009
IOWA CITY-
THIS WEEK — The Iowa women’s tennis team (7-11, 2-5 Big Ten) will host two Big Ten opponents at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes will face Wisconsin (5-13, 0-6 Big Ten) April 11 at 11 a.m., and No. 1 Northwestern (17-1, 6-0) April 12 at 11 a.m. Admission is free for all events.
IN THE SERIES — Iowa holds a 8-32 record in the series with Wisconsin and a 2-34 record in the series with Northwestern. Wisconsin won the last meeting with Iowa in 2008 (6-1) while Northwestern defeated Iowa in their last match-up (6-1).
MOLNAR EARNS NATIONAL RANKING — Hawkeye freshman Sonja Molnar has used her 15-3 singles record to earn a spot in the ITA NCAA Division I Women’s singles rankings. The Guelph, Ontario, native made her first appearance in the top 125 poll Feb. 19, earning a No. 98 ranking. She rose as high as 75th in the March 3 poll, and is currently ranked 87th in the March 31 poll.
LAST COMPETITION — Iowa went 0-2 last weekend, falling to Big Ten opponents Indiana and Illinois. The Hawkeyes fell to No. 41 Indiana (4-3) in Bloomington, IN Saturday in a close conference clash. Iowa grabbed the doubles point after wins by No. 1 doubles Sonja Molnar and Jessica Young (9-8) and No. 2 doubles Alexis Dorr and Kelcie Klockenga (8-5). Molnar and Dorr also earned wins in singles competition. On Sunday, No.40 Illinois defeated Iowa 5-2. Molnar took the first win in singles, going 6-1, 6-0 over #111 Leigh Finnegan at the No. 1 spot. Klockenga grabbed the other Iowa win at the No. 4 position, 7-6, 6-4.
HEAD COACH Daryl Greenan — Coach Daryl Greenan is in his fifth season as head coach of the Hawkeyes. Greenan led the Hawkeyes to a 13-10 overall record in 2008, going 3-7 in Big Ten competition tying for a sixth place league finish. The 2006 Big Ten Coach of the Year, Greenan has a 63-47 overall record in five seasons at Iowa. He is 104-72 in eight seasons as a collegiate head coach. Mira Radu is the assistant coach and is in her first season with the Hawkeyes. She volunteered as an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi (2003-2006) following her membership on the tennis team (1999-2003).
UP NEXT — Iowa will host Purdue (6-10, 2-4 Big Ten) in the last regular season conference match-up of 2009. Competition will begin at 12 p.m. at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex in Iowa City. Admission is free.