Feb. 2, 2011
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THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team hosts its home opener Friday against Miami (Ohio) at 5 p.m. (CST). The Hawkeyes home weekend continues Sunday against Kansas State at 11 a.m. (CST). Both matches will be held at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center. There is no charge for admission. Live scoring will be available at http://live.iowatennis.com.
THE COMPETITION
Miami (Ohio) is the two-time defending champion of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The RedHawks finished 18-7 in 2010 and return three all-conference picks. Miami (Ohio) was chosen to once again win the conference in 2011 and has started the season 4-0 for the first time in school history. Kansas State is 2-0 on the season, winning 6-1 decisions over New Mexico and Drake, respectively. The Wildcats, who compete in the Big 12 Conference, were 7-13 in 2010. Neither team is ranked by the ITA. Iowa is currently tabbed No. 30 by the ITA.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes went 0-2 at the annual ITA Season Kickoff Jan. 29-30, falling to No. 13 Georgia Tech and No. 25 Illinois. Iowa lost both matches 5-2. The biggest victory of the event came Sunday when the doubles tandem of Sonja Molnar and Jessica Young topped the No. 15 ranked doubles duo in the nation, Rachael White and Allison Falkin of Illinois. Molnar and Young won 9-7 after trailing during the match point.
BEFORE THE ITA SEASON KICKOFF
Iowa began its spring 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. Iowa then began 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 Jessica Kunzelmann and Krissy 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. So far this spring, the Hawkeyes have been paced by Young and junior Sonja Molnar. The pair are 2-0 in doubles while competing at the No. 1 position.
IOWA INKS TOP 25 CLASS
The Black and Gold signed the No. 18 recruiting class in the nation according to TennisRecruiting.net. Ellen Silver of Grand Rapids, Mich., Shelby Talcott of Long Island, N.Y., and Katie Zordani of Lake Forest, Ill., have all committed to join the Hawkeyes in the fall of 2011. All three individuals are considered five-star recruits by TennisRecruiting.net.
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.