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111 tough spot to be in and she has done a great job of stepping up." Reimchen started the season 2-0 at No. 2 singles, but a three-match skid opened the door for senior Morven McCulloch to step in at No. 2. McCulloch was 4-1 at No. 3 before jumping to No. 2. She had nine career wins in the two-hole entering the Oklahoma match, and she was on her way to No. 10 before the match was abandoned. If Dougherty can get results from both No. 2 and No. 3 — Reimchen was also leading before the Oklahoma match was halted — the Hawkeyes will be solid one through six. Senior Katie Zordani is 3-2 at No. 4, junior Annette Dohanics is 3-0 at No. 5, and freshman Zoe Douglas and senior Ellen Silver are a combined 4-0 at No. 6. "We're starting to see performances throughout the lineup," said Dougherty. "We have the weapons. We just need to come out firing in singles and doubles and put it together on the same day." e Hawkeyes won their conference opener last year, but if they are to do it again they'll need to beat a Purdue team that is one of seven ranked Big Ten schools. e Boilermakers are ranked No. 32. "From here it doesn't get any easier," said Dougherty. "e Big Ten Conference is strong again this year. Purdue is very strong. ere is no shortage of opportunities, we just need to step up and get a big win under our belt to get us rolling." K atie Dougherty and the University of Iowa women's tennis team are four up and two down heading into their Big Ten opener against Purdue on Feb. 28. e Hawkeyes opened the season with four straight wins, the first time they've done that since 2008, but they have since dropped two in a row — a 4-3 setback at Oregon and a 4-0 loss to No. 33 Oklahoma. A quick look at the won-loss column suggests a downward trend, but behind the scenes, things are looking up. "We played our best tennis, by far, against Oklahoma," said Dougherty. "It was the best team we've seen, the best level, and for the most part we raised our level to match it." Dougherty made lineup adjustments following Iowa's loss at Oregon. She coupled Shelby Talcott and Anastasia Reimchen at the No. 1 doubles position and the duo delivered a 6-4 win. "We saw some things we liked," she said. "Oklahoma is strong and we got a good win at No. 1. at's what we're going to have to do the rest of the season. Step up in big opportunities." Talcott is one of four seniors and Reimchen is one of two freshmen battling for positions in the Iowa lineup. Talcott has a firm grip on the top spot. She is 5-1 at No. 1 singles and playing as well as anyone. "Shelby doesn't get a break at No. 1," said Dougherty. "ere are no easy days up there. It's a MARCH SCHEDULE March 2 at Kansas March 7 Rutgers March 8 Kansas State March 13 at Michigan March 17 at UNLV March 22 Indiana March 25 Drake March 29 Nebraska