Jan. 25, 2011
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THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team will compete in the annual ITA Season Kickoff Saturday and Sunday. The Hawkeyes will face host Georgia Tech on Saturday before facing either Illinois or South Florida on Sunday. Live scoring will be provided at http://ramblinwreck.cstv.com/livestats/w-tennis/xlive.htm
QUOTING COACH Katie Dougherty
“We have a great opportunity this weekend. We’re going to get two high quality matches and chances to beat highly ranked teams. Georgia Tech is very talented and well coached. We need to come out strong Saturday starting with doubles and continue to play smart, aggressive singles. I’m confident that we can play at a very high level, we just need to go out and prove it this weekend.”
THE COMPETITION
The Hawkeyes, who are currently ranked 30th by the ITA, will be the lowest ranked team participating this weekend. Georgia Tech is tabbed No. 13 by the ITA and is coming off a victory against Northwestern, who was ranked ninth at the time, in its first dual match of the season. Illinois and South Florida appear on the ITA’s list at No. 25 and No. 28, respectively.
THE LINEUP
The Iowa singles lineup will include; Sonja Molnar (No. 1), Jessica Young (No. 2), Alexis Dorr (No. 3), Lynne Poggensee-Wei (No. 4), Jessica Cohen (No. 5) and Christina Harazin (No. 6). In doubles, Molnar and Young will team up at the No. 1 position. The No. 2 position will consist of Cohen and Dorr. Poggensee-Wei and Harazin will compete at No. 3. Juniors Ally Majercik and Cassandra Escobar will also travel with the team.
LAST TIME OUT
The Black and Gold opened dual play with a 6-1 victory over UNI Jan. 22. The Hawkeyes swept the doubles matches. The sweep included Jessica Cohen and Alexis Dorr defeating the 68th ranked duo of Kunzelmann/Lankelma 8-6 at the No. 2 position. Iowa also controlled singles matches, winning five of six matches. Four of the five wins came in straight sets.
IOWA OPENS SPRING
Iowa opened its season at the FSU Seminole Invitational Jan. 15-16. Senior Jessica Young led the Hawkeyes at the event, posting a 2-0 record and finishing in a second place tie. A third day of competition was cancelled due to rain.
HEAD COACH Katie Dougherty
Head Coach Katie Dougherty is in her second season at the helm of the women’s tennis team. The Wisconsin alum guided the Black and Gold to new heights in 2010, reaching as high as 18th in the ITA national rankings, the best in program history. The Hawkeyes finished 2010 with a 17-7 overall record and a 6-4 Big Ten record. Iowa placed fourth in the conference and advanced to NCAA postseason competition.