April 13, 2011
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THIS WEEK The University of Iowa men’s tennis team will face two Big Ten opponents on the road this weekend. No. 60 Iowa (8-8 overall, 2-4 in conference) will play at Michigan State Saturday before visiting Michigan Sunday. Both matches start at noon.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT No. 57 Michigan State holds a 15-7 overall record with a 1-6 clip in Big Ten action. Michigan is ranked 27th with an 11-8 overall record and 4-3 mark in the Big Ten. Evan King is ranked 24th and Jason Jung is ranked 51st in singles for the Wolverines. King and Jung are also ranked 23rd in doubles together.
IN THE RANKINGS Iowa is ranked 60th by the ITA. The Hawkeyes has been ranked in 11 of the 13 rankings released by the ITA this year, and has also competed against 10 teams that are currently ranked.
LAST TIME OUT The Hawkeyes lost a tough conference match in their last action, falling at home to Northwestern, 5-2. Juniors Marc Bruche and Will Vasos took an 8-6 victory in No. 1 doubles, but the Wildcats rallied to claim the doubles point. Vasos also earned a victory in No. 2 singles, beating Sidarth Balaji 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. Junior Tom Mroziewicz picked up a victory in No. 6 singles, cruising to a 6-2, 6-4 advantage over Chris Jackman.
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 334-338 (.499), recording the most wins of any coach in Iowa men’s tennis history. Houghton recorded his 300th win at Indiana State Feb. 6, 2009. Houghton has coached 19 All-Big Ten performers and his players have received 93 Academic All-Big Ten accolades. Four of Houghton’s athletes have also been selected Big Ten Sportsman of the Year.
HOUGHTON ON UM, MSU “I fully expect these to be challenging matches, just like all of them. Michigan has been ranked as high as the top 10, and Michigan State is a much improved team that also was ranked pretty high. It will be a good test for our team.”
UP NEXT Iowa will close out the regular season April 22nd and 24th. Iowa will host Wisconsin (8-10, 3-3) on the 22nd and No. 20 Minnesota (14-3, 5-1) on the 24th.