March 12, 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
UPCOMING ACTION
The 54th-ranked University of Iowa men’s tennis team travels to Las Vegas, NV, and Palm Springs, CA, next week for its annual spring trip. Iowa will play at UNLV Wednesday at 4 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes will then travel to Palm Springs, CA, for two matches March 19-20. Iowa faces Wichita State Friday at 3 p.m. (CT) and Pacific Saturday at 3 p.m. (CT) to conclude the trip.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
UNLV is 7-6 overall (7-3 at home) and is ranked 56th in the latest ITA rankings. They are coached by Owen Hambrook. He is in his seventh year. Wichita State is 8-3 overall. The Shockers are led by third-year Head Coach Brad Louderback. Pacific is 3-6 overall. The Tigers are coached by Matt Lucas. He is in his second year.
THE SERIES
Iowa is 1-1 all-time against UNLV. The Hawkeyes are 3-2 against Wichita State and 2-0 against Pacific.
LAST TIME OUT
Iowa lost two matches in Denver, CO, over the weekend. The Hawkeyes fell in a heartbreaker to Sacramento State last Saturday, 4-3. Iowa then fell at No. 32 Denver Sunday, 6-1.
FINAL TUNE-UP
The next three matches mark the final non-conference matches for the Hawkeyes. Big Ten Conference play will begin March 27 (at Michigan State) and March 28 (at Michigan). Iowa will then close out conference play with five of its remaining eight matches at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 54 in the current ITA team rankings. Ten of the 11 Big Ten schools are nationally ranked. In the central region, the doubles duo of senior Tommy McGeorge and sophomore Will Vasos is ranked ninth. The pair finished 17-3 in dual play in 2009 and is 7-2 this season. 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 316-321 (.498), 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.