Feb. 19, 2014
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THIS WEEK
The University of Iowa men’s tennis team hits the road for their first match away from Iowa City this spring. The Hawkeyes head to Kalamazoo, Mich., to face Western Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 22. First serve is set to take place at 11 a.m. (CT).
HAWKEYES BEAT NO. 39 MINNESOTA IN B1G THRILLER
The Iowa men’s tennis team improved to 5-0 (1-0) with a, 4-3, upset victory over No. 39 Minnesota Sunday afternoon inside the HTRC. The Hawkeyes opened the match by taking the doubles point behind a pair of victories at the No. 2 and 3 doubles spots. In singles, the Hawkeyes split the six matches with Minnesota, 3-3, to down the Gophers, 4-3. Iowa picked up victories from sophomore Dominic Patrick, and seniors Michael Swank and Juan Estenssoro, with Estenssoro’s match clinching a Hawkeye victory.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Western Michigan enters the weekend with a 6-3 record after a doubleheader victory or IPFW and UW-Green Bay last weekend. The Broncos are led by Daniel Kang and Jonathan Raa in the No. 1 and 2 singles positions, respectively, and are coached by Dave Morin, who recorded his 300th victory last weekend.
IOWA STREAKING
Senior Jonas Dierckx has recorded eight straight doubles victories, while junior Matt Hagan is riding a six-match winning streak in doubles, dating back to last fall. Dierckx and Hagan closed out the fall slate with four straight doubles victories at the Big Ten Singles and Doubles Tournament. Dierckx has started the spring season 4-0 with partner Juan Estenssoro, while Hagan is 2-0 this season playing with Joey White.
HAWKEYES STILL PERFECT
Three Hawkeyes remain undefeated in singles action. Dominic Patrick is 5-0 playing in the No. 5 spot, Nils Hallestrand is 2-0 with wins at No. 5 and No. 6, while Joey White is 1-0 with a victory at No. 6. Three different doubles duos are perfect as well. Hallestrand and White are 3-0 at No. 3, Dierckx and Estenssoro are 4-0 at No. 2 doubles, and Hagan and White are 2-0 at No. 3 doubles.
NEW ASSISTANT COACH Ross Wilson
Ross Wilson joins the program as an assistant coach after serving the past year as an assistant coach at San Diego. Wilson was named the 2012 ITA National Assistant Coach of the Year and ITA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year this past year after he helped guide San Diego to a third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Wilson was a two-time NCAA All-American and three-time ITA national doubles champion during his playing days at Ohio State.
HEAD COACH Steve Houghton
Steve Houghton, the dean of Big Ten tennis coaches, is in his 33rd year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. He has compiled a career record of 345-381 (.475), recording the most wins of any coach in Iowa men’s tennis history.
HOUGHTON ON WESTERN MICHIGAN
“Western Michigan is a very good team and have been for years. We have passed a lot of tests already this year, but they have all been at home. This will be a new test for us, seeing how we will handle playing on the road.”
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