April 26, 2010
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch (2009-10 season)
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
THIS WEEK
The 59th-ranked University of Iowa men’s tennis team faces Purdue in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday. The tournament is being held in Bloomington, IN, at the Indiana University Tennis Center. Iowa, 12-9 overall and 4-6 in conference play, is seeded seventh in the tournament. The Hawkeyes, 7-6 away from Iowa City and 3-0 at neutral sites, will battle Purdue, the No. 10 seed, at 10:30 a.m. (CT). The winner will face No. 2 Illinois in the second round Friday.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Purdue finished the regular season 11-14 overall and 1-9 in conference play. The Boilermakers are led by first-year Head Coach Pawel Gajdzik. Iowa defeated Purdue during the regular season. The Hawkeyes downed the Boilermakers April 23 in West Lafayette, IN, 4-3.
IOWA AT THE TOURNAMENT
Iowa fell to Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament last season, 4-0. Two years ago the Hawkeyes hosted the tournament at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Iowa downed Purdue in the first round, 4-0. The Hawkeyes fell to eventual champion Ohio State in the second round, 4-0. Iowa has competed in Bloomington, IN, this season. The Hawkeyes lost at Indiana April 10, 6-1.
REGULAR SEASON RECAP
The Hawkeyes finished 12-9 overall and 4-6 in conference play during the regular season. Iowa’s 4-6 Big Ten record placed them in seventh place. The Hawkeyes recorded a record of 5-3 at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The Black and Gold finished 7-6 away from Iowa City, including a record of 3-0 at neutral sites. Additionally, Iowa downed three nationally ranked opponents.
THE SERIES
Iowa is 37-27 all-time against Purdue. The Hawkeyes have won the last five meetings in the series, including a 4-3 win at Purdue April 23.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes closed the regular season with two matches last weekend. Iowa won at Purdue last Friday, 4-3. The Hawkeyes got singles victories from Marc Bruche, Reinoud Haal, Tommy McGeorge and Austen Kauss. Sunday, the Hawkeyes closed the regular season with a 5-2 loss to No. 35 Minnesota at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Sophomore Will Vasos won in both singles and doubles play to lead the Hawkeyes.
MATCH NOTE
The Hawkeyes have played 22 matches this season and hold a record of 12-9. Iowa’s match against Sacramento State was protested. ITA determined that neither team would receive a win or a loss due to the illegality of Sacramento State’s lineup. While neither squad earned a win or a loss, all individual results still count.
SENIOR TRIO
This weekend will mark the final Big Ten Tournament for three Hawkeye seniors, Patrick Dwyer, Reinoud Haal and Tommy McGeorge.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked No. 59 in the current ITA team rankings. Nine of the 11 Big Ten schools are nationally ranked. Iowa is ranked fourth in the latest central region rankings. In addition, sophomore Marc Bruche is the 15th-ranked singles player in the central region. Rankings can be found at itatennis.com.