Hobbled team hosts SEC opponent Vanderbilt

The IU men's tennis team (5-1) searches for its sixth win in its first seven matches as it hosts Vanderbilt (2-0) on Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Indiana Tennis Center. \nThe Hoosiers own an all-time record of 14-4 against the No. 32 ITA ranked Commodores. Coach Ken Hydinger knows they will be a difficult foe. \n"It's a big match, it will be good, I want to see how comfortable we are," Hydinger said. "They are a good team with good players and they play a variety of styles."\nIU advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year before they lost in the first round, while Vanderbilt lost in the second round of the Tournament. The Commodores finished last season 13-13. Today, Vanderbilt plays Ohio State in Columbus. Senior Milan Rakvica said the team will be ready for them.\nFreshmen Jakub Praibis described what it would be like to open the season 6-1. "Fun," he said. "It would be a lot of fun."\nWhat isn't fun are injuries. \nThe Hoosiers are plagued by them. Last weekend, three players had significant injuries. Senior Rahman Smiley sat out doubles against Murray State because of a bad back. Junior Zach Held sat out singles against the Racers because of a bad calf. Freshman Ryan Recht nursed a bad groin.\n"It's very important to get everybody healthy," Rakvica said. "Players stepped up last weekend and we need more of that. Everybody was fighting last Saturday and we need more of that."\nRakvica's confidence is high. He is 5-1 in spring singles and 11-5 overall this year, and he said he looks forward to the challenge Vanderbilt will present.\nHydinger likes what he sees in his senior leaders.\n"Milan won a tough match last time out," Hydinger said. "Every time out he has great determination. Also, Rahman has battled an injury and has fought hard. Plus, senior Ari Widlansky was solid in winning both of his singles matches this past weekend."\nBesides Rakvica, Hydinger feels Praibis is becoming a leader for this team. \nPraibis is 5-1 is spring sinlges and 4-1 in doubles. \n"We are very level as a team," Praibis said. "We work well and help each other. Milan and Rahman have been nice for us." \nHydinger believes in his underclassmen as well. The younger players have been instrumental in the early success of the team. \nBesides Praibis, freshman Tom Bagnato is 4-1 in spring singles and 10-8 in overall singles. Fresh Recht is 0-3 in spring singles, but 4-2 in spring doubles, including an 11-4 overall doubles mark this season. In addition, freshman Reid Strand has played only doubles so far this spring season and has a 4-2 record. \nHydinger was slow to announce his plan for Saturday. IU typically has Rakvica at No. 1 singles and Smiley and Recht at No. 1 doubles, but the injury situation could potentially change that. \n"We don't announce who will be playing at what position yet, because we don't want to give (Vanderbilt) an advantage to match up," Hydinger said. "They play in a good conference and they are aggressive, so it will be interesting"