Sept. 24, 2009
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa Women’s tennis team travels to Minneapolis, MN, to compete at the Minnesota Gopher Invite September 25-27. The three-day competition will be held at the Baseline Tennis Center. Matches will begin at 9 a.m. each day with results posted on hawkeyesports.com.
#1 SEED
Iowa sophomore Sonja Molnar is the Invite’s top-ranked player. Up to four other Hawkeyes are expected to be seeded in the top draw this weekend.
THE COMPETITION
The Hawkeyes will face Minnesota, Eastern Michigan, Buffalo and Nebraska as well as in-state foes Iowa State and Northern Iowa.
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“Everything we have seen leading up to the Minnesota Invite has been very encouraging. The players have been working really hard to put us in a position to succeed. The plan this weekend is to compete hard, do some damage on the court and get off to a good start.”
Head Coach Daryl Greenan
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MOLNAR RETURNS TO THE TOP
Sophomore Sonja Molnar opens the season ranked 72nd in the 2009 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) preseason poll. Last year, Molnar was named Midwest Regional Women’s Rookie Player of the Year by the ITA. The Guelph, Ontario, native is the first Hawkeye women’s tennis player in school history to earn the regional honor. Molnar put together an outstanding 18-4 singles record at the No. 1 position. She went 9-2 in conference singles to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the all-Big Ten first team. She is the fourth women’s tennis player in school history to earn conference rookie of the year accolades and Iowa’s 12th first-team all-Big Ten selection.
HAWKEYES MAKE THE GRADE IN 2008-09
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team takes care of business, not only on the court, but in the classroom as well. Last season, five of the team’s eight student-athletes were named academic all-Big Ten for their efforts during the 2008-09 academic school year, including returning letterwinners Merel Beelen, Alexis Dorr, Kelcie Klockenga, and Lynne Poggensee-Wei.
HEAD COACH Daryl Greenan
2006 Big Ten Coach of the Year Daryl Greenan is in his sixth season as head coach of the University of Iowa women’s tennis team. Greenan has led the Hawkeyes to a 64-51 (.557) overall record and a 28-23 (.549) mark in Big Ten play. The Valdosta State alum is assisted by Mira Radu and Chris Lueth.