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Hawkeyes Look Forward to 2014 By Jimmy Novak T he University of Iowa men's tennis team has an exciting reason to be optimistic heading into next season. After having one senior on the 2013 squad, next year's team will be loaded with eight upperclassmen (six seniors and two juniors). "I'm very optimistic about next season," said UI head coach Steve Houghton. "In addition to a lot of experience returning, we will be adding Brian Alden, who is a great singles and doubles player, in addition to a few recruits. Also, having six seniors on the roster is invaluable." Houghton said the team will miss its leader from the 2013 season, Garret Dunn. The Hawkeye senior from Tempe, Ariz., competed at No. 2 singles and was paired with Matt Hagan at No. 1 doubles. The doubles duo won four straight matches to end the season. Houghton likes what he saw from Dominic Patrick and Juan Estenssoro last season, who saw their first Big Ten Conference competition. Patrick put together an 8-6 record when playing in the No. 5 singles slot, while Estenssoro had an 11-8 record in doubles action. "I think the two players most likely to have a breakout season would be Dominic and Juan," said Houghton. "Both are coming off good seasons and it was their first time playing Big Ten tennis. With a year of experience under their belt, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they made a huge jump." After having time to reflect on this past season, Houghton believes the team is not far from taking a big step forward. "Largely to get over the hump, individually we have to execute when key points arise," said Houghton. "We played a lot of close matches this past season that went down to the wire. We aren't that far off, it just comes down to handling pressure better." With six seniors and two juniors on the roster next year, the Hawkeyes are poised to handle that pressure. 13