No seniors, no problem for IU

Traditionally most teams' source of leadership comes from those who have been through adversity and carry the most experience -- the seniors. But for the No. 53 Hoosiers, that is not an option, as the team is without any seniors for the 2003-2004 campaign.\nLast season the Hoosiers were able to rely upon then-seniors Zach Held and Peter Novotny who helped guide IU to a 12-11 record and a final ranking of No. 44 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association standings.\nThis year, the Hoosiers' roster is compiled of eight players, half of which are juniors. Three sophomores and one freshman round out the squad.\nHaving to play this season without any seniors hasn't been a real issue because of the dynamics of the team, which includes three transfers, said sophomore Neil Kenner who transferred in from Washington University in Saint Louis.\n"We only had four guys who played here last year," Kenner said. "Really, I look at those guys as our seniors."\nFor the Hoosiers, the leadership role has been assumed amongst the four juniors -- Tom Bagnato, Ryan McCarthy, Jakub Praibis and Ryan Recht -- who have been leading by example with a combined singles record of 30-20\nWith the junior class being the size it is, it helps provide a variety of perspectives on things for the Hoosiers, Recht said.\n"We can all four look at things and get different perspectives on it and kind of figure the best solution or the best scenario for the whole team," Recht said. "I think it is very beneficial for the team."\nComing into a season without any seniors on the roster might be a worry for some teams, but the Hoosiers have been able to avoid problems with a group of players that is able to feed off each other and give the entire team a boost with each individual's performance.\nHaving a team ready to work hard and have a good attitude has helped make the Hoosiers able to avoid any problems because of the lack off the overused senior leadership mantra, said IU coach Ken Hydinger.\n"I think we are stronger this year than we were last year," Hydinger said. "Just because we don't have any seniors doesn't mean we don't have maturity on the team."\nThough the Hoosiers are without seniors for this season, the team is looking to the 2004-2005 season as a time in which the team will be primed to do well with the entire team returning. This is an extra benefit for the team as they are getting the opportunity to work on and establish team chemistry for this season and next. \nWith the experience that will be returning for the Hoosiers, it will be a team that knows what needs to be done and how to go about accomplishing things, which will be helpful when the freshmen arrive next fall. Having this scenario is a unique situation for the Hoosiers to be in, Hydinger said.\n"I think having everyone back from this year, coming back next year is a big benefit," he said. "This is situation you're not often in (everyone returning), and it will be nice to be in."\nHaving the juniors step up has been a big plus for the Hoosiers, but there is also an extra benefit as well, said Kenner.\n"Ryan Recht is stepping up and definitely acting as our senior," Kenner said. "Recht is better than a senior, because he'll be back along with the rest."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.