FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Iowa men's tennis team gave No. 47 Santa Clara all they could handle, but couldn't make up the point advantage the Broncos secured in doubles play. Santa Clara (5-3 overall) edged the upset-minded Hawkeyes (1-3 overall) by a 4-3 margin at the University of Arkansas' Billingsley Tennis Center this Saturday.
Iowa came up just short against Arkansas the previous day. Despite the two losses by the No. 74 Hawkeyes, head coach Steve Houghton was impressed with the way his squad improved over the course of the weekend.
"I thought we played our best match of the year against this top-50 team," said Houghton. "I felt like we made a lot of improvement this weekend despite the losses, and that was one of the benefits of playing tough competition like this."
Iowa juniors Marc Bruche and Will Vasos won in No. 1 doubles action, beating Kyle Dandan and Nicolas Vinel 8-7 (2) The duo went 2-0 this weekend, also winning in the No. 1 doubles position against Arkansas. Santa Clara took the remaining two doubles matches to claim the team point.
Iowa stayed even with Santa Clara in singles play, as Bruche also picked up a victory in the top singles position. Bruche defeated Dandan 4-6, 6-1, 4-2 (6).
Seniors Nikita Zotov and Austen Kauss also earned singles victories for the Hawkeyes. Zotov knocked off Maxime Armengaud 6-4, 5-4 (2), while Kauss topped John Lamble 6-4, 6-2.
The Hawkeyes will return to action on Feb. 18th with a contest at the HTRC. Iowa hosts Illinois State at 3 p.m.
No. 47 Santa Clara 4, Iowa 3
Singles
Marc Bruche (IOWA) def. Kyle Dandab (SC) 4-6, 6-1, 4-2 (6)
Nikita Zotov (IOWA) def. Maxime Armengaud (SC) 6-4, 5-4 (2)
Nicolas Vinel (SC) def. Will Vasos (IOWA) 6-3, 6-1
Austen Kauss (IOWA) def. John Lamble (SC) 6-4, 6-2
Tom Pham (SC) def. Garret Dunn (IOWA) 7-6, 6-3
Eugene Muchynski (SC) def. Chase Tomlins (IOWA) 6-2, 6-1
Doubles
Bruche/Vasos (IOWA) def. Dandan/Vinel (SC) 8-7 (2)
Pham Armengaud (SC) def. Kauss/Mitch Beckert (IOWA) 8-1
Lamble/Muchynski (SC) def. Dunn/Zotov 8-6
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