Sept. 28, 2011
THIS WEEK: The University of Iowa men’s tennis team will participate in the ITA All-American Championships in Tulsa, Okla. at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center. The prequalifying and qualifying stages last from Oct. 1-5 and the main draw is Oct. 6-9.
HAWKEYES IN ACTION: Seniors Marc Bruce and Will Vasos, sophomore Jonas Diercks, and freshman Andres Estensorro will participate for Iowa. Bruche, ranked No. 101 nationally, will be in the qualifying singles. Vasos, Dierckx and Estensorro begin in prequalifying singles. Bruche and Vasos will also be in qualifying doubles. They are ranked No. 41 nationally.
BRUCHE, VASOS REACH FINALS: Bruche and Vasos are coming off an impressive performance at the Baylor-HEB Invitational. The tandem reached the finals match in the doubles main draw. Bruche and Vasos finished runner-up after a loss to No. 23 Marko Krickovic/Roberto Maytin of Baylor. Bruche and Vasos, who led the team in doubles wins last season, beat two teams from Oklahoma and one from Baylor.
THREE HAWKEYES FINISH PERFECT: Junior Garret Dunn, senior Christopher Speer and freshman Matt Hagan each went undefeated at the Drake Invitational. The trio of Hawkeyes each went 3-0. Dunn was crowned the Flight C champion with a victory over Drake’s Grant Tesmer. Speer and Hagan each won three straight matches and reached the Flight B finals match, but the title match between the two Hawkeyes was not contested. Hagan and junior Connor Gilmore also reached the Flight B doubles finals match.
SPEER MAKES MOST OUT OF FIRST ACTION: After not playing a tournament since his freshman year, Speer has now had two succesful tournaments in a row for the Hawkeyes. Speer’s 8-1 singles record is best on the team. Speer earned the Flight B back draw title at the Purdue Invite, and then reached the Flight B finals match at the Drake Invite. Speer has won eight straight singles matches, and also sports a 4-1 doubles record.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton: Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches, is in his 31st year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has compiled a career record of 331-341 (.493), recording the most wins of any coach in Iowa men’s tennis history. In the past four seasons, Iowa has defeated 21 nationally-ranked teams, including 15 opponents in the nationally recognized Big Ten Conference. Houghton has coached 20 All-Big Ten performers.
HOUGHTON ON ITA All-AMERICAN:“This is another great opportunity for Will and Mark in doubles, as well as singles. It’s also a great chance for Jonas and Andres to make their mark in a national event.”
