HAWK TALK

May 2014

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29 knocked-off Furman's Adam Steryous during the Hawkeyes' spring break trip. Steryous spent two consecutive weeks in the rankings, peaking at No. 109. Dierckx's accomplishments didn't go unnoticed, as the senior entered the ITA rankings at No. 124 for the first time in his career April 22. Dierckx became the first Hawkeye to appear in the ITA rankings since Marc Bruche was ranked 93rd on Jan. 3, 2012. e accolades continued into the postseason, as Dierckx was named a second-team All-Big Ten selection, as voted on by the league coaches. It marked the second consecutive season in which the coaches tabbed Dierckx as a second-teamer. "e other league coaches began to see Jonas for who he is last year and I think it was compounded again this year," said Houghton. "It is an honor to be named to the All-Big Ten team simply because it isn't just heavy promotion on our part, but it is other coaches who get a chance to see him day in and day out." For Dierckx, his playing days as a Hawkeye have come to a close, but as he walks away with more than 100 career victories. "Guys on the team admire him, not just for winning matches, but for the way he conducts himself," said Houghton. "It is great for the returning guys who have seen him for two or three years. He is a perfect role model for those guys. eir talent levels are similar to his, and if they follow his example, it's one that will carry on for the next couple of years." Dierckx Ends Career in Style By DAN WALLACE W hen senior Jonas Dierckx looks back on his career at the University of Iowa, he will see his senior campaign as a defining moment. And rightfully so. Dierckx began his career, like many freshmen, playing sparingly at the bottom of the Hawkeye lineup. But by the time Dierckx played his final match, he was atop the lineup, playing almost exclusively at the No. 1 position. Playing at the top, Dierckx consistently drew the Big Ten's best, but it was a challenge he was ready to accept. "As he gained more confidence in himself, both as a teammate and as a player, he has gone right up the ladder from a typical freshman to an outstanding senior," said UI head coach Steve Houghton. "He has done exactly what a coach would love to see from the beginning to the end." In a weeklong span to end the season, Dierckx faced Northwestern's Raleigh Smith and Penn State's Leonard Stakhovsky, two of the top singles players in the conference. Smith was ranked No. 54 in the country, while Stakhovsky was 33rd. Dierckx picked up a pair of wins, defeating Smith, 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 1-0, retired, and Stakhovsky, 6-3, 6-4. Stakhovsky was the highest-ranked player Dierckx had ever defeated, while the two conference foes were two of four players that Dierckx defeated this season who would appear in the ITA singles rankings. Dierckx defeated Omar Aly of the University of Miami, who would end the regular season ranked No, 68 during the ITA All-American tournament last fall. Dierckx also

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