2 ranked teams fill IU's home weekend

Ask the IU men's tennis team, and the players will tell you: Middle Tennessee State is underrated. \nThe No. 57 Blue Raiders invade Bloomington Saturday for a match-up of two ranked teams in the IU Tennis Center. But the No. 67 Hoosiers claim that a No. 57 ranking just doesn't do MTSU justice.\n"They're a lot better than where they're ranked right now," said senior Ryan Recht. "They'll be moving up the whole year."\nHead coach Ken Hydinger agrees.\n"Middle Tennessee's ranking is going to go up and go up a lot this year," he said. "They're definitely going to be in the NCAA tournament. This is a very good team."\nThe Blue Raiders, just like the Hoosiers, are coming off a pair of 7-0 victories last Saturday. The trip to IU will be the third match in three days for the team. \nThe Hoosiers will approach Middle Tennessee State in the same way they dismantled their two home opponents last week -- with controlled, focused tennis. They won both of last week's home matches against Murray State and Butler without allowing a single set to the opposition, leading to two 7-0 victories. Hydinger hopes to carry over that effort from last week into the match this Saturday.\n"I thought we concentrated and made a very good physical effort last week," he said. "When you answer the call like that, you feel more confident that you'll be able to do it again next time."\nJust like last Saturday, the Hoosiers have the benefit of home-court advantage. Not only that, but the team's annual "Dinner with Doubles" event, which features an all-you-can-eat Pizza Hut buffet, should draw even more Hoosier fans to the IU Tennis Center.\nJunior John Stone is riding high coming to the weekend's action.\n"Last week, we were able to come out against Murray State and get a win under our belts, and get our confidence up," he said. "I've got my confidence up too. I'm more consistent now. I'm ready to go."\nThis is not the first time the Hoosiers have faced a ranked team this year. They got that out of the way early playing No. 34 Notre Dame in South Bend for the spring opener.\n"The first match against Notre Dame was tough," Stone said. "We came out a little rocky. It was good to get winning experience last week. Experience we can use this week."\nThis week's match is slated to begin at 5 p.m. in the IU Tennis Center. A $6 fee includes the all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as admission to the match.\n"(Middle Tennessee State) is going to be a very mentally aggressive, feisty team," Hydinger said. "They're going to be well-coached and solid. This is going to be a battle."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Eamonn Brennan at eabrenna@indiana.edu.