Hawkeyes Face UIC, Iowa State in Weekend Doubleheader

Feb. 8, 2012

Complete Release

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team hosts Illinois Chicago (2-2) and Iowa State (0-3) this weekend at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. The Hawkeyes (1-1) entertain the Flames on Friday at 5 p.m. (CT) before facing the Cyclones at noon on Sunday. Live scoring will be available on the women’s tennis schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.

QUOTING HEAD COACH Katie Dougherty
“We’ve got two good teams coming here this weekend. UIC wins the Horizon League every year and is an experienced team. Iowa State has gotten a lot better in the last couple of years and we’re expecting a battle. The Cy-Hawk series is always exciting for our student-athletes and we’re happy to be hosting this year.”

CAMPUS KIDS’ DAY
Sunday’s match against Iowa State will be Campus Kids’ Day at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. There will be free pizza for everyone in attendance. Kids in the crowd will have the opportunity to win prizes.

HAWKEYES VS. UIC SERIES HISTORY
The Hawkeyes and the Flames will meet for the first time on Friday. Friday will also mark the first time in program history that Iowa has played a Horizon League opponent.

HAWKEYES VS. IOWA STATE SERIES HISTORY
Iowa holds a 32-0 series advantage against the Cyclones. The in-state rivals last met on Feb. 21, 2010. The Hawkeyes swept Iowa State, 7-0.

IOWA CORN GROWERS CY-HAWK SERIES
The winner of Sunday’s match between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones will earn two points for their respective school in the annual Iowa Corn Growers Cy-Hawk Series. Iowa State currently holds a 15-6 advantage over Iowa with five events remaining.

HAWKEYES EXTEND STREAK TO 18
The Hawkeyes won all three doubles matches in their 7-0 season opening win against Illinois State on Feb. 4 to extend their win streak to 18 matches when sweeping the doubles point. Senior Sonja Molnar and freshman Shelby Talcott teamed to win 8-2 at the top spot; senior Ally Majercik and freshman Morven McCulloch paired at the No. 2 spot for an 8-3 victory; and freshmen Ellen Silver and Katie Zordani were victorious at the No. 3 position, 8-3.

WIN NO. 85
Sonja Molnar defeated Illinois State’s Aniko Kiss, 6-1, 6-1, at the No. 1 position on Feb. 4 to earn the 85th singles win of her career. The Guelph, Ontario, native, is now 15 wins away from joining Milica Veselnovic (113 career wins) and Laura Dvorak (102 wins) as the only Hawkeyes in program history to win 100 career singles matches.

BABY HAWKEYES
Five underclassmen were in Iowa’s singles lineup against Illinois State on Feb. 4. Sophomore Christina Harazin won 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 4 spot. Freshman Shelby Talcott (No. 2), Morven McCulloch (No. 3), Ellen Silver (No. 5) and Katie Zordani (No. 6) all earned straight-set victories in their dual debuts.

ITA RANKS MOLNAR
Senior Sonja Molnar was ranked No. 91 player by the ITA on Jan. 3. The Guelph, Ontario, native was one of 11 Big Ten athletes to appear in the poll. Molnar was tabbed No. 65 in the ITA preseason poll after finishing her junior season ranked No. 95 nationally.