March 31, 2010
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IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Iowa women’s tennis team has enjoyed much success this season, including rising to the highest team ranking in program history and posting wins over numerous ranked opponents. This week, the team adds a couple more notable achievements to the quickly lengthening list for the 2009-10 season.
Senior Merel Beelen and Sophomore Sonja Molnar have etched their names into Hawkeye history for the highest ranked doubles team. According to the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings posted Tuesday, the duo is 15th in the country. The previous highest team was Toni Neykova and Shera Wiegler, ranked 19th at the end of the 1999 season. Beelen and Molnar are 8-2 overall and 6-1 in dual play.
Molnar has also made an impressive jump in the national rankings, moving from 74th to 55th. The sophomore ranks third in Iowa’s all-time highest ranked singles competitors. She also made an impact prior to the season, ranked 77th nationally following her freshman season, the highest ever for a freshman at Iowa. Molnar is 21-7 overall and 12-2 in dual play.
Beelen, Molnar and the rest of the Iowa Hawkeyes face Penn State Friday in University Park, PA. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m. (CT).