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135 e Hawkeyes are 7-6 overall and 1-3 in conference, but they've had their chances against some of the top teams in the country — including close losses to No. 33 Oklahoma and No. 21 Purdue. "We were toe-for-toe, right at the same level, we just have to be able to execute when we need to," Dougherty said. "Step up and play the big points big and take it from teams. at's the one thing we're missing, being able to take it from teams when we need it." Dougherty says she has the players and lineup to not only compete against the best teams, but come away with wins. It starts with doubles, where the Hawkeyes are 19- 16 overall, and ends in singles, where Talcott and Morven McCulloch are a combined 16-8 at the top of the lineup. "Every time we get out there we have to get four points somewhere," she said. "e opportunities will keep coming and we have to start grabbing them. I believe in this team. e pieces are all there. We just need to step up and put them together and close the door on teams." T he University of Iowa women's tennis team started the season on a high with four straight wins. ey crept back to ground level at the end of February, closing the month with three consecutive losses, two on the road and one at home to a ranked opponent. During the month of March they played an up and down game, alternating wins and losses to the tune of a 3-3 mark. By the time the calendar flips to April — a month that includes six conference matches and the Big Ten Tournament — UI head coach Katie Dougherty hopes to see consistency and a little bit of selfishness. "We've proved throughout the season that we can compete against some of the best teams in the country," said Dougherty. "We've had close results with good teams." at includes a 4-3 setback to Indiana on March 22. Iowa won the doubles point against the 52nd-ranked Hoosiers and, aer Shelby Talcott's straight-set win at the No. 1 position, the Hawkeyes held a 2-1 lead with two more matches heading to a third set. "Indiana is a perfect example," Dougherty said. "at's a good team. ey've had some great wins and we put ourselves in a good position, but couldn't close the door on them." APRIL SCHEDULE April 4 at Minnesota 11 a.m. April 5 at Wisconsin noon April 10 Ohio State 4 p.m. April 12 Penn State 11 a.m. April 18 at Northwestern 11 a.m. April 19 at Illinois noon April 23-26 at B1G Championships TBA (Champaign, Ill.)