The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Men’s tennis looks to sophomores

Iowa+player+Leftris+Theodorous+prepares+to+volley+the+ball+during+the+Iowa-Chicago+State+match+at+the+Hawkeye+Indoor+Tennis+Complex+and+Recreation+on+Sunday%2C+April+19%2C+2015.+The+Hawkeyes+defeated+the+Cougars%2C+6-0.+%28The+Daily+Iowan%2FMargaret+Kispert%29
Iowa player Leftris Theodorous prepares to volley the ball during the Iowa-Chicago State match at the Hawkeye Indoor Tennis Complex and Recreation on Sunday, April 19, 2015. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cougars, 6-0. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

The sophomore trio for the Hawkeyes will be pivotal this year.

By Blake Dowson
[email protected]

The 2014 Iowa men’s tennis recruiting class was seen as one of the best in the program’s history.

It boasted two five-star recruits in Josh Silverstein and Jake Jacoby and two highly touted international players in Lefteris Theodorou and Stieg Martens.

Head coach Ross Wilson’s first recruiting class was put to the test right away, with all four players consistently in the spring lineup.

Theodorou and Silverstein paced the team with 16 wins apiece, with Jacoby right behind them with 14. Martens, who was bothered by an injury much of the season and has since left the program, gained five victories for the Hawkeyes.

Now sophomores, Theodorou, Silverstein, and Jacoby again play a pivotal role for the still-young Hawkeyes.

“[Leading the team in wins] gives you a lot of confidence,” Theodorou said. “Knowing the team depends on you and that when you win, it helps the team win — that gives you confidence.”

With most tennis rosters comprising roughly eight to 12 players, each piece of a recruiting class is important to building the program. A coach cannot afford to take a gamble on the wrong player, because there are only so many roster spots to go around.

“You can’t miss on players,” Wilson said. “You only get four and a half scholarships per class; that puts some pressure on you.”

The sophomores have performed well so far and have positioned themselves for breakout years.

Theodorou spent the summer in Europe playing in futures tournaments, and he had quite a bit of success.

The fiery Greek player accumulated 20 Association of Tennis Professionals doubles points and one singles point during the summer months.

With the departure of Matt Hagan after last season, Theodorou will be in an open competition for the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 spot.

“It’s possible Lefty could be our No. 1 guy,” Wilson said. “Mentally, he needs to improve, but he’s taking some steps in the right direction.”

Wilson said the biggest improvement he looks for his sophomores to make each year is the preparation they bring each day.

With a year of a busy college schedule under the young Hawks’ belts, Wilson wants the sophomore group to set an example and help the freshmen.

“We want guys to understand what it is to come to practice every day prepared mentally and physically,” Wilson said. “They need to set aside everything else and get through practice every day.”

Jacoby heads into his sophomore season with more of a head for the college game.

The grind of the long season and the level of competition the Hawkeyes face surprised him the most during his freshman campaign.

With that knowledge, Jacoby wants to work his way up the lineup.

“There are no easy matches here,” he said. “After a year here, you have an idea about that. Even the bottom teams in the conference you can’t afford to take lightly.

“I played mostly in the 5 and 6 slot last year, but hopefully, I can move up to the 4 and the 5.”

As good as the sophomores were last season, another leap will be needed in order for the Hawkeyes to get to where they want to be.

As this group goes, so goes the team, possibly with a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s a talented group of guys,” Wilson said. “All around 20 wins last season, but that’s not good enough anymore. We need six guys with 20 wins now.”

Follow @B¬_Dows4 for Iowa men’s tennis news, updates, and analysis.

More to Discover