Feb. 12, 2009
NORMAL, Ill -
The Illinois State men's tennis team (2-2) will be traveling to Iowa City, Iowa, to take on another Big Ten school Friday, facing No. 57 Iowa at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, the `Birds are set to play Western Michigan at 1 p.m., with both matches held at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.
Looking to bounce back from last weekend, head coach Cris James feels the Redbirds' experience in West Lafayette, Ind., has helped prepare the team for competition against Iowa and Western Michigan.
"We are looking forward to the competition," said James. "Both teams are similar to Purdue and Arkansas. In fact, Western Michigan beat Purdue earlier this year. Heading into this weekend, I feel like we can win, but it's going to take a big effort. We need to go in with confidence.
"I know both head coaches and it'll be good, fun competition. We have a much tougher schedule this year, and we've already played at that higher level. Hopefully we'll be ready to go, come Friday."
In 20 meetings with Iowa, Illinois State has yet to grab a win. The Hawkeyes are 2-1 this season, with their lone loss coming against No. 48 Denver. Hawkeye Christian Bierich ranks No. 119 in singles and the duo of Tommy McGeorge and Will Vasos rank No. 59 nationally, three slots behind Illinois State's Daniel Tobar and Skip Span (No. 56).
Western Michigan enters the weekend 7-2, after dropping a match against Michigan State, 6-1, and sweeping Ferris State, 7-0. The Broncos also garner a national doubles ranking, as the pair of Michael Calderone and Zeyad Montasser rank No. 33.
The Redbirds competed against Western Michigan at the Indiana Hoosier Classic (Sept. 12-14) in Bloomington, Ind., during the fall season. Span fell to Montasser in the singles semifinals, 6-4, 7-6. The last time Illinois State competed against the Broncos in dual play was in February 2006, when ISU was topped, 7-0, by the Broncos.
