IU not taking opponents lightly

After a short break from match play and grueling winter workouts, the IU men’s tennis team bounced back into form with a very impressive performance at Clemson over winter break.\nThe Hoosiers were crowned champions of the Clemson Winter Shootout as they dominated both singles and doubles play.\n“We’ve been working real hard and I have thrown a lot of new stuff at the guys,” IU coach Randy Bloemendaal said. “Our performance down at Clemson was a real confidence builder.”\nThe team hopes to build off its performance this Monday at home when it takes on two tough competitors in Cleveland State and Morehead State. The Hoosiers will take on Cleveland State first at 10 a.m., followed by Morehead State at 4 p.m. \nA relatively young Hoosier squad will look to its three seniors – Thomas Richter, Dara McLoughlin and Michael McCarthy – for leadership, especially early in the season. \n“We certainly can’t take anyone lightly,” McCarthy said. “Everyone at this level is going to play tough, especially this early on.”\nMcCarthy added that the intense fall training trip and winter workouts have really paid off and have the team headed in the right direction. \nFellow senior McLoughlin said the team had some weaknesses during its short fall season and said the winter workouts have gotten the Hoosiers into competitive form.\n“I felt that we really needed to work on our doubles play because we didn’t have many opportunities to do so in the fall,” McLoughlin said. “The trip down to Clemson really helped us with that.”\nBefore their home matches on Monday, a few of the fresh-faced Hoosiers will get a chance to play this weekend at the Ohio State Invitational. Later in the week, the Hoosiers will host Eastern Kentucky and Indiana State.\n“The first match is a little intimidating,” McLoughlin said. “There is certainly no holding back though.”