Hoosiers drop 2nd in a row

The IU men's tennis team has had close match after close match this spring, and right now, the close ones aren't falling the Hoosiers' way.\nThe latest close contest came Sunday at the IU Tennis Center, as IU was downed by No. 17 Vanderbilt, 4-2.\n"We've got to learn to win," IU coach Ken Hydinger said. "We've got to dig down deep when it's time to win and step up and drive the nail through the coffin. We're not doing that right now."\nThe loss to the Commodores is IU's second in four days, after a close defeat Thursday afternoon to Ball State. It also drops the Hoosiers' spring record to 3-6, a mark Hydinger said misrepresents how good the team can be.\n"We're not a 3-6 team," he said. "There are three parts to a match: getting into the match, getting into position to win and winning. We're not winning, but we're in position. We've got to close the deal."\nThe afternoon began with doubles action, and Vanderbilt was able to capture the lone doubles point. The team of Ryan Recht and John Stone was bested by Vanderbilt's No. 35 team of senior Scott Brown and freshman Jason Pinsky, 8-5, at the No. 1 position. Vanderbilt also won at the No. 3 doubles spot, clinching the win. \nThe team of senior Jakub Praibis and junior Dymtro Ishtuganov improved their doubles record to 7-2, winning at the No. 2 position.\nNeeding to compensate for the doubles point loss, the Hoosiers played tough, close singles matches, but only Praibis and sophomore David Bubenicek were able to command victories. Praibis improved his singles record to 7-2 this spring at the No. 1 position, and Bubenicek moved to 6-1 in singles play at the No. 5 spot.\n"Doubles was an important point; it was so close," Praibis said. "Everyone played well and fought hard, we just didn't get all the wins we needed. The disappointment comes from being so close against such a good team."\nJunior John Stone, whose match at the No. 6 position was unfinished due to the team match having already been decided, said he thinks the Hoosiers need to improve their mental toughness.\n"There isn't a whole lot you can do to change in practice," Stone said. "We're all talented individuals, but when you get in matches, and things get close, there should be something inside of you that says, 'I am not going to lose this.'"\nHydinger agreed with his player's assessment.\n"It's not physical. We're in position," he said. "There should be a point where your heart should climb up over the top of the other guy's. We're close to getting over the hump. We've just got to reach down and get it done."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Eamonn Brennan at eabrenna@indiana.edu.