Nationally Ranked Hawkeyes Open Big Ten Play

March 13, 2014

No. 70 HAWKEYES OPEN BIG TEN PLAY AT NEBRASKA
The University of Iowa women’s tennis team begins conference play Friday at Nebraska beginning at 3 p.m. (CT) at the Nebraska Tennis Center. Iowa, 7-3 overall, is 17-19 in conference openers.

THE SERIES
Iowa leads the all-time series, 15-7. However, Nebraska is 3-0 against the Hawkeyes since joining the Big Ten conference back in 2010. The Huskers, ranked 10th last season, defeated the Hawkeyes 7-0 in 2013, the same year they advanced to the Sweet 16.

QUOTING @COACHKDOUGH
“This will be a good test for us on the road against a strong Big Ten team. We’ve had a nine-day layoff from matches and the team is ready to get back out there and compete.”

HAWKEYES CRACK THE ITA POLLS
Iowa came in at No. 70 in the latest ITA rankings. The Hawkeyes were ranked as high as No. 58 last season. Senior Ruth Seaborne moved up two spots to No. 86 in the ITA singles rankings.

ANOTHER RANKED FOE GOES DOWN
The Hawkeyes have competed against a total of five ranked schools in the first portion of the 2014 schedule, going 2-3 in the process. Iowa picked up a 5-2 win over No. 72 Oregon on Feb. 7, and a 4-3 victory over No. 72 Drake last Wednesday.

HAWKEYES CONTINUE TO WIN
Since falling to No. 74 DePaul on Feb. 9, Iowa has won four consecutive matches, including two shutouts and a 4-3 victory over No. 72 Drake. Iowa is a combined 20-4 in singles and 10-0 in doubles during the four-game win streak.

DOUBLES PROVE TO BE CRITICAL
The Hawkeyes are 7-0 when winning the doubles point this year. Iowa is 0-3 when losing the doubles point.

SINGLES WINS ARE PILING UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
Juniors Shelby Talcott and Katie Zordani lead singles for Iowa with identical 7-2 records. Zordani currently holds a four-game win streak, which ties Seaborne (6-3) and sophomore Annette Dohanics (6-2) for the team high.

COMING UP FOR THE HAWKEYES
The Hawkeyes hit the road for a dual matchup with the College of Charleston on Tuesday, March 14, at the College of Charleston Tennis Center. Doubles begin at 12:30 (CT) with singles to follow. The Cougars are 5-4 this season.

BECOME A FAN
Fans can follow the Iowa women’s tennis team at facebook.com and via twitter @Iowa_Tennis. Live results from this weekend are available on the Iowa women’s tennis schedule page at hawkeyesports.com.