Feb. 17, 2010
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
Complete Release in PDF Format
THIS WEEK
The 56th-ranked University of Iowa men’s tennis team travels to Western Michigan Sunday. Iowa, 3-1 overall, will face the Broncos at noon (CT) at the West Hills Athletic Club.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Western Michigan is 7-1 overall with its only defeat coming against Big Ten foe Northwestern. The Broncos are coached by Dave Morin. He has coached at the school for 13 years.
THE SERIES
Iowa is 14-12 all-time against Western Michigan. The Hawkeyes defeated the Bronocs in Iowa City last season, 7-0.
LAST TIME OUT
Iowa opened its home schedule two weekends ago against Memphis and Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes defeated Memphis in their home opener, 6-1, on Feb. 5. The Black and Gold then swept Northern Illinois, 7-0, on Feb. 7.
2009 RECAP
Iowa finished 12-9 overall and 4-6 in conference play in 2009. Nationally ranked Big Ten singles champion Christian Bierich was named all-Big Ten. It marked the second-straight season a Hawkeye garnered all-Big Ten honors.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 56 in the current ITA team rankings. Nine of the 11 Big Ten schools are nationally ranked. In the central region, the doubles duo of senior Tommy McGeorge and sophomore Will Vasos are ranked ninth. The pair finished 17-3 in dual play in 2009. The rankings can be found at itatennis.com.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton
Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten coaches, is in his 29th year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has compiled a career record of 313-319 (.495), recording the most wins of any coach in Iowa men’s tennis history. Houghton recorded his 300th win at Indiana State Feb. 6, 2009. His best season came in 1984 when Iowa won a school record 21 matches and two Hawkeyes earned all-Big Ten honors. In 1989, Houghton was named NCAA Region IV Coach of the Year and picked up his 100th career dual win. Four of Houghton’s athletes have also been selected Big Ten Sportsman of the Year. He became the winningest coach in Iowa tennis history in 1992 and is a member of the Iowa Tennis Hall of Fame. While playing at Iowa, Houghton had a career winning percentage of .727 (40-15), second best in Iowa history.