Young Hoosiers to compete in Louisville

The IU men’s tennis team did not qualify for the ITA National Indoors Tournament this weekend. In order to qualify for the ITA Nationals, the competitors had to make it to the semifinals in their previous tournament, Big Ten Men’s Indoor Tennis Championship, which took place last weekend.

However, IU Coach Randy Bloemendaal will be taking two freshmen to Louisville this weekend to compete in a smaller tournament.

Bloemendaal said both Daniel Bednarczyk and Chris Essick are look forward to gaining experience, since competing in a tournament such as this one will give the younger athletes a chance for player development.

“I am confident they will compete well,” he said.

The team takes on a different approach during fall matches than those in the spring, Bloemendaal said, because later matches are more team-oriented than fall competition.

Of the nine athletes on the roster for the Hoosiers, five are true freshmen. These athletes have been competing in their first collegiate tournaments throughout the fall season.

Though fall tournaments do not do much for IU from a team perspective, the individuals competing in tournaments like the one in Louisville gain valuable experience that can be applied in the spring time, Bloemendaal said.

 —Frank Bonner