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(02/08/02 6:13am)
The IU men's tennis team (5-1) searches for its sixth win in its first seven matches as it hosts Vanderbilt (2-0) on Sunday at 12 p.m. at the Indiana Tennis Center. \nThe Hoosiers own an all-time record of 14-4 against the No. 32 ITA ranked Commodores. Coach Ken Hydinger knows they will be a difficult foe. \n"It's a big match, it will be good, I want to see how comfortable we are," Hydinger said. "They are a good team with good players and they play a variety of styles."\nIU advanced to the NCAA Tournament last year before they lost in the first round, while Vanderbilt lost in the second round of the Tournament. The Commodores finished last season 13-13. Today, Vanderbilt plays Ohio State in Columbus. Senior Milan Rakvica said the team will be ready for them.\nFreshmen Jakub Praibis described what it would be like to open the season 6-1. "Fun," he said. "It would be a lot of fun."\nWhat isn't fun are injuries. \nThe Hoosiers are plagued by them. Last weekend, three players had significant injuries. Senior Rahman Smiley sat out doubles against Murray State because of a bad back. Junior Zach Held sat out singles against the Racers because of a bad calf. Freshman Ryan Recht nursed a bad groin.\n"It's very important to get everybody healthy," Rakvica said. "Players stepped up last weekend and we need more of that. Everybody was fighting last Saturday and we need more of that."\nRakvica's confidence is high. He is 5-1 in spring singles and 11-5 overall this year, and he said he looks forward to the challenge Vanderbilt will present.\nHydinger likes what he sees in his senior leaders.\n"Milan won a tough match last time out," Hydinger said. "Every time out he has great determination. Also, Rahman has battled an injury and has fought hard. Plus, senior Ari Widlansky was solid in winning both of his singles matches this past weekend."\nBesides Rakvica, Hydinger feels Praibis is becoming a leader for this team. \nPraibis is 5-1 is spring sinlges and 4-1 in doubles. \n"We are very level as a team," Praibis said. "We work well and help each other. Milan and Rahman have been nice for us." \nHydinger believes in his underclassmen as well. The younger players have been instrumental in the early success of the team. \nBesides Praibis, freshman Tom Bagnato is 4-1 in spring singles and 10-8 in overall singles. Fresh Recht is 0-3 in spring singles, but 4-2 in spring doubles, including an 11-4 overall doubles mark this season. In addition, freshman Reid Strand has played only doubles so far this spring season and has a 4-2 record. \nHydinger was slow to announce his plan for Saturday. IU typically has Rakvica at No. 1 singles and Smiley and Recht at No. 1 doubles, but the injury situation could potentially change that. \n"We don't announce who will be playing at what position yet, because we don't want to give (Vanderbilt) an advantage to match up," Hydinger said. "They play in a good conference and they are aggressive, so it will be interesting"
(02/07/02 5:45am)
After his victory over Southwest Missouri State, he joins the other players in watching another match. They congratulate him on his straight-set triumph. One player gives him a five. Then he flashes a smile as big as the Grand Canyon.\nFreshman Jakub Praibis is the one behind that smile. \nHe just joined the IU men's tennis team (5-1) and has made an immediate impact. Praibis, a journalism major, is 5-1 since joining the team at the beginning of the spring season. \nHe is from Litomerice, Czech Republic, and played prep tennis at Gymnasium Joseia Juwgranna Litomerice. He came to the U.S. for a better life and has thrived on the tennis court. \n"He has a well all-around game. He has played at No. 2 and No. 3 and won matches for us," coach Ken Hydinger said. "He has good, solid fundamentals. He has good emotional control, and he is hard to beat."\nAssistant coach Ondrej Holik, also from the Czech Republic, recruited Praibis to IU. \n"He is a very solid player," Holik said. "He never loses to a weaker guy." \nPraibis accomplished a plethora of achievements in the Czech Republic. He was fifth in the Czech Republic Championships in 2001 and was ranked No. 62 in 2001. \nNow, Praibis is beginning to enjoy himself in Bloomington, as well. \n"I'm busy at IU, and I expected that; but I'm having fun," he said. "It's difficult sometimes."\nPraibis said his strength lies in ground strokes. He's into slower matches, and Holik said that strategy has led to Praibis' success. \n"He is excellent from the baseline," Holik said. "He wins. He always finds a way to win." \nBoth Hydinger and Holik believe the younger players can learn something from Praibis.\n"He makes no unforced errors. The young players need to learn how to do this," Hydinger said. "He competes and concentrates very well. He never gets badly upset on the court." \nPraibis has encountered success in doubles, as well. He and fellow freshman Reid Strand are 4-1 in spring doubles. \n"They play well together and complement each other nicely," Hydinger said. \nPraibis isn't sure of his future tennis goals at IU, but that's because he's only been here a little more than a month. In time, he will develop those goals. \n"We need guys like Jakub," Rakvica said. "He plays all matches all the time"
(02/01/02 5:58am)
The men's tennis team (3-1) returns to the court Saturday when they host Southwest Missouri State (0-1) at 9 a.m. and Murray State (1-1) at 5 p.m. at the Indiana Tennis Center. IU defeated Ball State 4-3 in their last match. \nCoach Ken Hydinger, who coached at Southwest Missouri State in 1978, is optimistic about the upcoming matches. "We are fighting an aggressive spirit. We can't look past these," Hydinger said. \nThe Hoosiers have been receiving skillful play from their underclassmen this spring. Freshman Jakub Praibis has been solid going 3-1 in spring singles and 3-0 in spring doubles. Besides Praibis, freshmen Ryan Recht and Reid Strand have been steady contributors in doubles. Recht is 3-1 and Strand is 4-0 in spring doubles. \nThe Hoosiers own an all-time record of 2-1 against the Southwest Missouri State Bears. \nHydinger wants these victories before their match with Vanderbilt on Feb. 10. "(Two wins) would work. It's two wins before Vanderbilt."\nHydinger knows he'll need his underclassmen Saturday and is very happy with their play. "The younger players have just been great. It's nice to see," he said. \nRecht is one of those freshmen and he is ready to get back on the winning track after he lost in both singles and doubles to Ball State.\n"It should be fun Saturday. We'll be ready as a team and we'll be ready individually," Recht said. "We are confident now, and we are waiting for Saturday. Two wins would only increase our confidence."\nLater Saturday, the Hoosiers play Murray State. IU is 14-4 all-time versus the Racers. \nHydinger is looking forward to the challenge Murray State will present. "They are the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions. They are tough." \nHydinger reflected on the minor injuries the Hoosiers are suffering. "We are sore coming in, so it will be difficult," he said. Senior Rahman Smiley has had a little bit of a bad back, but considering the injury, he has been battling and playing well, Hydinger said.\nSmiley concurs with his coach. "We need to get everybody healthy. We need to get the job done." \nWe need (these two matches)," Smiley said. "It would be nice momentum heading into the Vanderbilt match"
(01/30/02 5:10am)
On a rainy, but warm, day what a good idea it would be to play tennis indoors at the Indiana Tennis Center. IU men's tennis (3-1) beat Ball State (2-2) 4-3 Tuesday. \nThe Hoosiers were led by senior Milan Rakvica. He won his No. 1 singles match 6-4, 6-0 over the Cardinals' Jason Pressel. Rakvica improved his spring singles record to 3-1 and his season mark to 9-5. Also winning in straight sets for IU in singles were freshman Jakub Praibis (3-1 spring) and junior Zach Held (3-1 spring). \n"We came out and played great. We turned it around in the doubles," Held said. "In the singles we took it to them and never gave them a chance.\nIU squeaked out the doubles point, even though the Hoosiers No. 1 doubles team of senior Rahman Smiley and freshman Ryan Recht lost 8-6. They fell to 3-1 in the spring and 7-2 overall. They lost to the Cardinal duo of Pressel and Kevin Burnett. \nCoach Ken Hydinger was indifferent about winning the doubles point, even though it was still important. "The dynamics change, sometimes they have to learn to come back from being down one," Hydinger said. "However, it isn't always good to be fighting uphill."\nThe IU doubles teams of Rakvica and Held were victorious 8-5. In addition, Praibis and freshman Reid Strand won 8-4. \nRecht lost in singles as well as doubles. He lost in singles 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to the Cardinals' Matt Laramore to drop to 0-3 in the spring. \n"Both of my opponents had really good serves," Recht said. "I just got down one early break in each match. It's tough to lose both singles and doubles. I'm happy that the team won though." \nRakvica echoed Recht's sentiments and discussed his singles match. \n"It's a nice win. I played the best tennis I've played so far this year," Rakvica said. "I overplayed my man in singles and it was a satisfying win."\nAs well as losing in doubles, Smiley also lost a long No. 2 singles match to Andrew Seni, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (1). Smiley's record now stands at 2-1 in the spring. \nHydinger spoke highly of his senior leader Smiley.\n"Rahman played very well today and he has even been bothered by a bad back," Hydinger said. "And the fact that he was playing a tremendous opponent, he did great."\nIn addition to being proud of his seniors, Hydinger was proud of his freshmen after the victory.\n"The freshmen are fighting and playing better," Hydinger said. "Jon (Magnes) was nervous, but he's getting better," Hydinger said. "Praibis did a nice job. He played a personal type of match. Ryan (Recht) has to learn to play better and play more consistently as well."\nThe Hoosiers seem to be developing well and have a positive mindset.\n"I tried to stay relaxed and show my opponent that I was going to beat him," Held said. "I knew I would do my best." \nThe Hoosiers were pleased to get a victory over one of their state rivals.\n"The objective was to win and we obviously were able to do that. They have an aggressive coach and an experienced team," Hydinger said. "We grew a bit today." \nThe Hoosiers return to action Saturday when they host Southwest Missouri State at 9 a.m. and Murray State at 5 p.m. at the IU Tennis Center.
(12/10/01 5:34am)
From their penguin-like waddles to their attempts to knock each other over like bowling pins, the inflatable players at IU football games attempted to entertain both young and old fans.\nBut the inflatable players have disappeared.\n"I didn't notice that they were gone," said senior Enoch DeMar, a starting offensive lineman. "I'm too busy playing and preparing for the game."\nThey have not gone unnoticed by all.\n"At first, I didn't really notice the inflatable guys were gone," sophomore Robert Johnson, a season ticket holder said. "But then people started talking about it, and I was kind of like, \'Yeah, where are they?\'"\nThe athletic department chose not to use them because they are working on a new marketing strategy.\n"We are in the process of reevaluating our brand identity program," said Jeff Fanter, director of media relations for IU athletics. "During this evaluation we are analyzing all aspects of how people identify with the IU brand."\n"It is far too early for us to comment on the specifics of our marketing approach because right now we are in the analysis stages," Fanter said. "We are reviewing what we do and how we can do it better. This takes some time. It will probably be three to four months before we could talk specifics in this area. We aren't prepared to answer specific questions at this time because we are in the early stages." \nDirector of Marketing for IU athletics David Lovell said consistency is not portrayed by the inflatable players.\n"The inflatables are not mascots but a part of the game day festivities," Lovell said. "We have been evaluating our marketing and promotional strategy as we assess our position in college athletics, and we felt that having two inflatables who wear uniform designs that not only differ from each other, but also differ from our football team uniform would not portray a consistent image," Lovell said. "We felt that we should convey a more consistent message to our fans who attend IU football games, and that is what led to us not using the inflatables at games."\nStill, the football team thought blow up inflatables were a good idea.\n"I think it's sort of cool," DeMar said. "You have one blow-up with an old (marooned colored) throw back uniform and one with a new uniform." \nSome loyal fans disagree with the department\'s assessment. \n"I know of very few mascots who wear the same uniform as the team, so I don\'t really see that as an issue," Johnson said. "I\'m a little upset, they provided good entertainment during lulls in the game." \nFanter said the decision to cut the inflatable figures from the gameday activites was not based on fan reaction.\n"We do not have information to conclude if they were popular of unpopular and our decision was not based on that line of thinking," Fanter said. "There purpose was enhancement of the game day experience."\nJohnson said he believes the inflatables were entertaining.\n"I would definitely say they were popular," he said. "I always heard people cheering for them when they were performing"
(10/30/01 4:25am)
In an effort to provide the Bloomington area with more opportunities for physical fitness, the Recreational Sports Outreach Programs are working to supply families, disabled students and international students with facilities and accommodations for exercise.\n"Recreational sports are designed sports for everyone," said Rachel Britton, graduate assistant for Outreach Programs.\nFamily nights are one way Outreach Programs plan sports for everyone. The Outreach Programs sponsors Family Night the first Friday of each month. It's an evening where family can participate together. They run from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the Student Recreational Sports Center and are free to the public. \nThere are an abundance of activities, including basketball, volleyball, swimming and a toddler room. The event is designed to bring families closer together, while providing children with exercise and teaching sportsmanship. \n"We try to provide an environment that provides fun and safety," Britton said. \nEvery month there is a different theme. November's theme is health and fitness. Volunteering at family night for senior Alison Jones usually means offering her services as a group exercise instructor and a dancer. She volunteered in the toddler room and led creative movement games with the children this month.\n"We had a blast," Jones said. \n"I usually volunteer in anything where my skills are needed." \nAlthough they have different themes, family nights struggle with attendance. \n"The average number of participants is somewhere between 150 and 200," Britton said. "We want more than 200." \nSeveral international students show up for family nights. \n"I enjoy working with many different crowds of people," Jones said. \nIn addition to family nights, there is a disability program. Through Partners in Recreational Sports (PAIRS), disabled people are paired with students from the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, who assist them in achieving greater participation in recreational sports. \nBut participation is down in the program and changes are being made to try and infuse the program.\n"We try and fit the needs of the participants," Britton said. \nThe SRSC is fully handicap accessible while the HPER building is mostly handicap accessible, except for the weight room. The lower level south entrance and north entrance of the SRSC are equipped with a power-assisted door. \nRecreational Sports also caters to the needs of international students. There is World Sports Day on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., where sports are used as a common language to unite students from different cultures by participating in a friendly environment.\n"The University is always striving for a more diverse student population," graduate student Emily Ward, assistant director for Outreach Programs, said. "They enjoy the opportunity to come together with peers in sports they enjoy."\nIt also promotes healthy competition. \n"It makes it so there are competitive rivalries between cultures," Ward said. "We need to understand that international students are different. They sometimes only want to play a sport on one day, not for six weeks, like an intramural sport."\nThe Adaptive Aquatics program is no longer in use because the instructor, Rita Costa, graduated. They are seeking a qualified instructor for the position. \nThere are also several volunteer possibilities. \n"We desperately need more volunteers," Britton said. "All Outreach Programs run on volunteering." \n"Volunteering makes me feel like I am helping the overall wellness of the community and reach people that otherwise would not become involved in our activities," Jones said. "I enjoy volunteering because it helps me to become more involved in the community and discover its needs. When I am able to either make myself feel good or give back to the community, it is very satisfying"
(09/25/01 3:53am)
They come out one at a time to devote their time to practicing a unique sport. They are participants of a club sport at IU, Ultimate Frisbee. They practice every Tuesday and Thursday night at Woodlawn field.\nThe team HoosierMama?'s has about 40 male members on its varsity and B team. There are about 18 members on the varsity squad. The Women's team, Calamity Jane, has about 20 members.\nThe women's team practices at the same time as the men.\n"It's a really great social extracurricular activity," said senior Liz Lee, head of Calamity Jane. "It's an amazing group that plays." \nUltimate takes a big time commitment.\n"You have to budget your time," said junior Jeremy Cho. \nUltimate Frisbee is similar to football, but with a frisbee disc. The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. There are seven players per team on the field. One point is scored every time the frisbee is suceesfully caught in the end zone. \nA regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards with 25-yard deep end zones. In addition, all games are self-refereed. \nSelf-refereeing is an important aspect to the success of Ultimate. "We rely on the fairness of others. There's a level of honesty," Lee said. "The support is great, not only in the University, but also in the community. Every year there is a reunion tournament, where former players come back and play."\nHoosierMama?'s and Calamity Jane normally start their college seasons in the spring. Last year HoosierMama?'s played teams such as Notre Dame, Northwestern, Purdue, Georgia Tech, and Duke. \nRight now they are in the fall club season. This past weekend the HoosierMama?'s varsity team played in a tournament in Naperville, Ill. \nUltimate is beneficial in several regards. "Playing is very fun and it's exercise, but mostly it's a lot of fun," said senior Nick Voakes, head of Hoosiermama?'s. \nAlso, as with any sport, injuries are a part of playing. \n"Woodlawn Field is bad for practicing. It's injury prone because there are several holes," Cho said. \nWhat makes club sports more difficult is IU's lack of funding. Still, the teammates have close relationships with each other.\n"We're all good friends. We hang out on the road; six hour car rides," Voakes said. \nThe popularity of Ultimate continues to rise, too. \n"There are lots of freshmen, so I don't feel stupid," said freshman Matt Rasche. "We (freshmen) hope to keep improving."\nFor more information about joining the HoosierMama?'s contact Nick Voakes at \nnvoakes@indiana.edu or for Calamity Jane contact Liz Lee at elllee@indiana.edu.