Experienced team sets sights high

For the IU men's tennis team's upcoming season, settling for second best isn't a part of the plan. \nWith every player returning from last year's team, including standout juniors Jakub Praibis and Ryan Recht and sophomore John Stone, high expectations and a sense of excitement are the dominant sentiments among the players that will either make, or break, the squad's chances. \n"With everybody returning this year, we have an amazing opportunity," No. 1 doubles team player, Stone said. "Obviously, with this kind of team returning, we plan on winning a Big Ten title." \nBesides experience, this year's batch of men's tennis players have the talent to be successful. Praibis, last year's most successful player, returns for his senior season on the heels of an NCAA singles tournament selection in which he advanced to the round of 32, only to lose to the third-ranked player in the bracket, Jeremy Wurtzman, 6-4, 7-6. Praibis finished the season with a record of 16-7. His outstanding play has the attention of his teammates, as well as Coach Ken Hydinger. \n"Jakub is a player that can be extremely good for us this year," Hydinger said. "He plays with a lot of heart and plays tough tennis. Jakub's key will be staying injury free this year. If he can do that, he can be very successful this season." \nFellow senior Recht said he also appreciates Praibis' gutsy play. \n"Jakub is a great player; he's very tough," Recht said. "He leads by example and always does what he can to get the win and help out the team, even when he isn't 100 percent."\nRecht competed in this summer's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Single's Championships and rode a flurry of wins all the way to the quarterfinals, where he was finally eliminated. Recht said he believes that his experience in the tournament this summer will only help him in his senior season of IU tennis. \n"These tournaments help tremendously," Recht said. "They allow you a way to gauge how you have improved over the summer and what you need to work on going into the season." \nThe strong crop of returning players are joined by two highly-touted newcomers who look to make an immediate impact on the team. Dara McLoughlin, a native of Dublin, Ireland, served as an alternate to the 2004 Ireland Davis Cup team. Michael McCarthy, who hails from Cincinnati, was an All-American at Indian Hill High School, with a record of 38-0 and a men's singles state championship to his credit. Both players are regarded highly by Hydinger.\n"Sometimes, it's difficult for freshmen to make the adjustment to college, and sometimes they have trouble keeping their head above water," Hydinger said. "We feel that these two, however, have an excellent chance of playing and making an impact on our team right away." \nWith that potential, and the already proven play of the team's veterans, Recht has expectations for the team on the national level, as well. \n"I feel that we have a good chance of winning the Big Ten this year, but also I feel we have a good chance to break into the top 20 (nationally)," Recht said. "I feel like we can surprise a lot of people." \n-- Contact staff writer Eamonn Brennan at eabrenna@indiana.edu.