Hawkeyes Host Notre Dame in Home Opener

Feb. 1, 2013

Weekly Release

THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team hosts No. 18 Notre Dame in its home opener on Monday, Feb. 4. Competition begins at 3 p.m. (CT) at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. Live results will be available on the Iowa women’s tennis schedule page at hawkeyesports.com. Match updates will also be available via twitter @iowa_tennis.

QUOTING@COACHKDOUGH
“We’re looking forward to kicking off our home schedule playing a top 20 team. I like how we’ve looked as a team these past couple of weeks and we’ll look to build off that momentum going into Monday’s match against a very good Notre Dame team.”

LAST TIME OUT
The Hawkeyes opened the 2013 season with a 6-1 win over Iowa State on Jan. 26. The victory extended Iowa’s lead in the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series to 12-9. The Hawkeyes won 5-of-6 singles matches, including straight-set victories by Ruth Seaborne, Shelby Talcott, Katie Zordani, and Annette Dohanics.

A CHANGE AT THE TOP
Junior Ruth Seaborne made her Hawkeye dual debut at the No. 1 position on Jan. 16 against the Cyclones, topping Ksenia Pronina (6-1, 6-1). Seaborne is just the third different Hawkeye in six years to open the dual season at the No. 1 spot, joining Jacquline Lee (2008) and Sonja Molnar (2009-12). Lee and Molnar also won their Hawkeye debuts at the No. 1 position in straight sets. Lee defeated Lauren Little of Marquett (6-3, 6-3). Molnar topped Western Illinois’ Amanda Griffin (6-1, 6-0).

STRONG IN THEIR DEBUTS
Ruth Seaborne and Annette Dohanics won their Hawkeye debuts last week at Iowa State. Seaborne won in straight sets at the No. 1 position, while Dohanics earned a straight-set victory at No. 6. Caitlin Hindmarsh is yet to make her Hawkeye debut, but every other player on the Iowa roster won their first career start. Morven McCulloch and Shelby Talcott each started their careers 3-0 before suffering their first loss.

DOUBLES STREAK EXTENDED TO 22
The Hawkeyes swept the doubles point against Iowa State on Jan. 26. Iowa has won its last 22 matches when sweeping the doubles point.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
Notre Dame is ranked No. 18 in the ITA Women’s Division I National Team rankings. The Fighting Irish post a 3-1 record, sweeping Bowling Green (7-0), defeating Illinois (4-3), topping Georgia Tech (4-3) and falling to No. 17 Nebraska (4-1).

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Creighton on Feb. 8. Competition begins at 5 p.m. (CT) at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.

BECOME A FAN
Fans can follow the Iowa women’s tennis team at facebook.com and via twitter @iowa_tennis.