Team heads to Region IV

The three seniors on the men's tennis team are looking to lead the Hoosiers this weekend at the annual Region IV Championship hosted by Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. Both singles and doubles matches will be played in single elimination tournaments with no consolation brackets. The Championship consists of the top men's players in the Midwest.\nCoach Ken Hydinger said he is expecting a lot from his upperclassmen.\n"We want our older guys to go there and produce big results," he said.\nNumber one player and senior Milan Rakvica is looking to make amends for his disappointing showing at the All-American Championships two weeks ago. He lost his first two matches there, but he's hoping to make up for it this weekend as the eighth seed in the championships. \n"When I got there, I was really sick with a stomach ache," Rakvica. "I feel a lot better now. Hopefully, that'll help (this weekend)."\nHydinger said Rakvica is one of the favorites.\n"I think he's definitely capable of winning the tournament," Hydinger said. "He's a nice athlete and a good player. He hits the ball so clean."\nSenior Rahman Smiley has had past success at the Region IV Championships. He has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in doubles the past three years. \n"I've beaten some of the guys that are seeded, some of the higher ranked guys in our region, so I think I'm right in the mix as one of the guys that can win the tournament," Smiley said. "For doubles, I think that (freshman) Ryan (Recht) and I have been playing really well in practice. We both have big serves, we both have good volleys and I think we get along pretty well."\nSmiley is looking for the older players to show their younger teammates how to handle playing big time collegiate tennis.\n"Being one of the older guys, I consider myself to be one of the leaders of the team, if not the leader," Smiley said. "The experience I bring as well as the other two seniors, and (junior) Zach (Held), is something that will be invaluable to the freshmen come second semester when we start playing the team matches."\nSenior Ari Widlansky is also looking for a good showing in East Lansing. He knows his role on the team this year. \n"I try to be a leader," Widlansky said. "I want to help contribute to my team having a winning record."\nHydinger is pleased with Widlansky's performance so far.\n"Ari's made a major improvement this year," Hydinger said. "He's been much more aggressive. His forehand and serve look much bigger. He's in better shape and he's more confident, so he's made a big jump. He's trying to make this his time, his senior year"