Jan. 26, 2011
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THIS WEEK —The University of Iowa men’s tennis team opens the 2011 season hosting Creighton Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. There is no charge for admission.
LIVE RESULTS —Fans can follow the match online by visiting the men’s tennis schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.
HAWKEYE COMPETITORS —Marc Bruche, Will Vasos, Nikita Zotov, Austen Kauss, and Jonas Dierckx will be competing for the Black ang Gold. A playoff will determine the No. 6 singles player. Garrett Dunn will also play doubles.
IN THE RANKINGS —The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 63 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
FALL RECAP —Marc Bruche provided the fireworks for the Hawkseyes during the fall season, earning a 9-3 singles record and winning the Flight A singles bracket at the Northwestern Invitational. Bruche’s nine singles wins led the team. Fellow senior Austen Kauss also earned five singles victories during the fall season. The tandem of Kauss and Will Vasos lead Iowa with five doubles victories on the season.
GOING STRONG —The Hawkeyes finished 13-10 overall and 4-6 in Big Ten Conference play in 2010, marking the third consecutive year Iowa has finished with at least 12 victories. Iowa was ranked 60th nationally in the final ITA Division I poll and earned a No. 48 ranking at one point in the season. As a team, Iowa defeated three ranked opponents. Iowa knocked off Purdue in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament before falling to second-seeded Illinois.
HAWKEYE NEWCOMERS —Freshmen Jonas Dierckx, Jeroen Gortworst, Michael Swank, and Chase Tomlins combined to win nine singles matches over the fall.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton —Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches, is in his 30th year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has compiled a career record of 323-328 (.496), 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. Four of Houghton’s athletes have also been selected Big Ten Sportsman of the Year.
HOUGHTON ON THE SEASON OPENER —“We’re anxious to start this spring season. We feel that we have a good mix of veterans and new guys who will play a key role this season. We’re definitely up-grading our schedule, and every match will be a challenge.”
UP NEXT —Iowa will hit the road the next time out with a contest at DePaul on Feb. 5th at 2 p.m.