singThe 54th-ranked University of Minnesota men's tennis team routed Iowa, 7-0, tonight to open the Big Ten season at the Baseline Tennis Center. The Golden Gophers (3-7, 1-0 Big Ten) swept all six singles matches and three doubles matches to hand the Hawkeyes (8-2, 1-1) their first loss in conference play.
With D.J. Geatz and Andres Osorio playing in their first matches of the spring season, the Maroon and Gold rolled in the doubles matches to take the early 1-0 lead. Avery Ticer and Adrien Debreyne downed Brett Taylor and Kyle Markham, 8-5, at No. 1, while Geatz and Osorio dropped Chaitu Malempati and Bart van Monsjou, 8-4, at No. 2. At No. 3, Raoul Schwark and Nic Edlefsen improved to 2-3 as a duo with an 8-5 win over J.P. Ritchie and Aaron Schaechterle.
The Golden Gophers cruised to the dual victory with six quick straight-set wins in singles play. Ticer, ranked 32nd in the nation, won his third straight match, downing Malempati, 6-2, 6-2. Ticer is now 7-2 this spring. At No. 2, Edlefsen improved to 3-6 this spring with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Markham.
In their first singles matches of the season, Geatz defeated van Monsjou, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 4, while Osorio ripped Jonny Hoak, 6-0, 6-1, at No 5. Debreyne and Schwark wrapped up UM's victories at Nos. 3 and 6, respectively.
Tonight's match marked the debut of interim head coach David Wheaton and interim assistant coach John Wheaton. The Golden Gophers next take on No. 13 Ohio State on March 27 in Columbus, Ohio.
#54 Minnesota vs. Iowa
Baseline Tennis Center
March 11, 2005
Singles
1. #32 Avery Ticer (MN) def. Chaitu Malempati (UI), 6-2, 6-2
2. Nic Edlefsen (MN) def. Kyle Markham (UI), 6-3, 6-2
3. Adrien Debreyne (MN) def. J.P. Ritchie (UI), 6-4, 6-2
4. D.J. Geatz (MN) def. Bart van Monsjou (UI), 6-3, 6-1
5. Andres Osorio (MN) def. Jonny Hoak (UI), 6-0, 6-1
6. Raoul Schwark (MN) def. Brett Taylor (UI), 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1. Debreyne/Ticer (MN) def. Markham/Taylor (UI), 8-5
2. Geatz/Osorio (MN) def. Malempati/van Monsjou (UI), 8-4
3. Edlefsen/Schwark (MN) def. Ritchie/Schaechterle (UI), 8-5
#54 Minnesota def. Iowa, 7-0
