After a monthlong road trip, the Hawkeye women’s tennis players were excited to get back to playing in front of their home crowd. They extended their home-match wining streak to 4-0 (6-3 overall), handily defeating Marquette and Bradley at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex on Feb. 25.
The Hawkeyes came out strong with lots of intensity, feeling rejuvenated to be back on their home floor. In doubles, Iowa disposed of Marquette in aclean-sweep victory, winning 3-0 (6-2, 6-2, 6-4). The Hawkeyes then took that momentum into singles play, in which all six Hawkeye starters won in straight sets.
But when the competition isn’t up to par, it can lead some players to become lackadaisical and unfocused. That was not the case with junior Adorabol Huckleby.
“I think energy carries throughout the team; I always try to be that positive influence for everyone, because if one of us is up, then all of us are up,” she said.
Huckleby’s energy carried the Hawkeyes into the afternoon, as they defeated Bradley in their second matchup of the day, winning 6-0, with all wins in doubles and singles coming in straight sets.
Although the team did not face a whole lot of adversity Sunday, head coach Sasha Schmid was happy with how her team was able to focus and execute the game plan.
“I think for us being able to have a sense of urgency every time we step on the court is really important for us, and I think we got better with that today,” she said.
One player in particular who has been able to maintain that sense of urgency all season for the Hawkeyes is freshman Yufei Long. She has been a consistent crutch for the Hawkeyes, and her wins over the Braves and Eagles extended her undefeated singles record to 9-0.
Since she arrived at Iowa, she has worked with coaches to improve her return game. Recently, a lot of Long’s success has been because of an uplift in Long’s forehand.
Against the Braves, Long continually used her forehand with velocity, and she was able to pinpoint the ball with every move as she easily beat Sandra Maletin (6-1, 6-3).
“My forehand has gotten a lot better since coming here,” Long said. “I like my backhand better, but lately, I and the coaches have focused on my forehand.”