HAWK TALK

May 2015

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139 4 and No. 5 singles positions last season — play- ing No. 1 and No. 2 this year, and winning, shows the development and dedication the players have toward improving their games." Hagan agrees. "I think this season is going to be a perfect step- ping stone for the program moving forward," Hagan said. "I cannot be more thankful for the opportunities given to me by my coaches. I believe we did better than a lot of people thought, so to go out with a positive year is humbling." Iowa amassed four conference wins this spring, defeating Wisconsin, Michigan, Purdue, and Ne- braska. Much of the team's regular season success came from their young players. Freshmen Josh Silverstein, Leeris eodorou, and Jake Jacoby all posted double-digit wins in singles competition. "When you have three freshmen starting all season and they lead the team in singles wins, you know they have improved," said Wilson. "We came together to get some great wins with a young team and two awesome seniors," said Pat- rick. "It was a big step in the right direction and we have high expectations moving forward to next season." e UI men's tennis program has a bright future as it continues to strive for bigger goals. "We need to continue to develop our team, re- cruit, and continue to make this environment a place where the best players in the world can come to develop their game," Wilson said. T he University of Iowa men's tennis team compiled a 14-11 record in 2014-15, includ- ing four wins in the Big Ten Conference — the most for the program in a single-season since 2010. e Hawkeyes look to build toward the fu- ture on the heels of a successful spring campaign. A journey is distance traveled and it was a new experience for first-year head coach Ross Wil- son and the UI men's tennis team. e Hawkeyes were bounced from the Big Ten Tournament in the quarterfinals by top-seeded and tournament champion Illinois, ending their season. "e goals we set for the season were to finish nationally ranked, finish top eight in the Big Ten, make it to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tourna- ment, have a player in singles and a doubles duo finish nationally ranked, and have a player get first-team All-Big Ten," said Wilson. A majority of those goals were fulfilled. Iowa fin- ished eighth in league play, setting up a first round match with Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament. e Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 4-0, putting them in the quarterfinals. Check two on the goals list came as a result of Iowa being ranked 70th nationally as its season concluded. Senior Matt Hagan produced another major achievement for the team. Hagan became Iowa's 18th honoree on the league's first team and the first since Christian Bierich in 2009. e senior earned 16 wins this year playing No. 1 singles. "All of our players improved a lot over the course of the year," Wilson said. "When you have guys like Matt and Dominic Patrick — who played the No.

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