Hoosiers looking for a sweep, 5-1 record

The men's tennis team (3-1) returns to the court Saturday when they host Southwest Missouri State (0-1) at 9 a.m. and Murray State (1-1) at 5 p.m. at the Indiana Tennis Center. IU defeated Ball State 4-3 in their last match. \nCoach Ken Hydinger, who coached at Southwest Missouri State in 1978, is optimistic about the upcoming matches. "We are fighting an aggressive spirit. We can't look past these," Hydinger said. \nThe Hoosiers have been receiving skillful play from their underclassmen this spring. Freshman Jakub Praibis has been solid going 3-1 in spring singles and 3-0 in spring doubles. Besides Praibis, freshmen Ryan Recht and Reid Strand have been steady contributors in doubles. Recht is 3-1 and Strand is 4-0 in spring doubles. \nThe Hoosiers own an all-time record of 2-1 against the Southwest Missouri State Bears. \nHydinger wants these victories before their match with Vanderbilt on Feb. 10. "(Two wins) would work. It's two wins before Vanderbilt."\nHydinger knows he'll need his underclassmen Saturday and is very happy with their play. "The younger players have just been great. It's nice to see," he said. \nRecht is one of those freshmen and he is ready to get back on the winning track after he lost in both singles and doubles to Ball State.\n"It should be fun Saturday. We'll be ready as a team and we'll be ready individually," Recht said. "We are confident now, and we are waiting for Saturday. Two wins would only increase our confidence."\nLater Saturday, the Hoosiers play Murray State. IU is 14-4 all-time versus the Racers. \nHydinger is looking forward to the challenge Murray State will present. "They are the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions. They are tough." \nHydinger reflected on the minor injuries the Hoosiers are suffering. "We are sore coming in, so it will be difficult," he said. Senior Rahman Smiley has had a little bit of a bad back, but considering the injury, he has been battling and playing well, Hydinger said.\nSmiley concurs with his coach. "We need to get everybody healthy. We need to get the job done." \nWe need (these two matches)," Smiley said. "It would be nice momentum heading into the Vanderbilt match"