Men’s tennis battles in tough conference
The Iowa men’s tennis team comes off a spring season in which it took down Michigan and Purdue in the powerhouse Big Ten but then lost in the conference tourney to Wisconsin.
What you should know
Iowa will lose top player Christian Bierich, who maintained an exceptional .933 win percentage in the fall 2008 season en route to becoming the Big Ten’s 2008 singles champion. The void is immense for Iowa head coach Steve Houghton to fill, but the veteran coach envisions a promising season with his returning upperclassmen and new recruits.
“As things are right now in our singles lineup, it will be about five our six guys returning,” Houghton said. “I am optimistic about that. We got some good recruits coming in, one who’s signed, the others we can’t comment on, but they’re good — somewhere between good and very good.”
Whom you should know
Sophomore-to-be Will Vasos and senior-to-be Tommy McGeorge became Iowa’s dynamic duo on the court, finishing with a 17-3 record at No. 2 doubles. The pair will return this season, and Vasos will use the summer months to sharpen his skills to move up in the lineup.
“I look forward to progressing as a player,” Vasos said. “Just this summer, really playing a lot and seeing what I can do.”
Main rival
Drake has consistently been a tough opponent for the Hawkeyes. Assistant coach Steve Nash was a former Bulldog tennis player, which raises the intensity of the game. Last spring, Iowa defeated the Bulldogs at home, 5-2.
Overall Record: 12-9
Conference: 4-6 (lost 1 more in the conference tourney)
Home Record: 9-2
Away: 3-6
Key Wins: Defeated Michigan 4-3 on March 22
Defeated Purdue 4-3 on April 19
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