UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — After a four-match road stretch, the Nittany Lions (3-6, 3-6 B1G) return home to host Big Ten competition this weekend against Iowa (4-7, 4-5 B1G) on Friday, March 26 at 4 p.m. and Nebraska (0-9, 0-9 B1G) on Sunday, March 28 at noon.
FOLLOW ALONG
Iowa: Live stats
Nebraska: Live stats
LAST TIME OUT
The Nittany Lions dropped both their road matches last weekend, falling to Wisconsin and then-No. 45 Minnesota.
In Friday's match against the Badgers, Wisconsin jumped to an early lead to claim the doubles point. The Nittany Lions were unable to rebound in singles as the Badgers walked away with a 6-1 victory. Tim Ruetzel was the lone Nittany Lion to score with a sweep over Jesper Friemuth 6-4, 6-3.
On the road at Minnesota, doubles team Christos Antonopoulos and Christian Lakoseljac and freshmen duo of Sam Bossem and Miko Eala secured the doubles point for the Nittany Lions with a win at No. 2 and 3. In singles play, Tim Ruetzel and Bora Sengul pushed Penn State to a 3-1 lead, but the Gophers took the final three matches to clinch a 4-3 comeback victory. Ruetzel improved to 6-3 in singles action.
SCOPING THE HAWKEYES
With losses to Michigan and Michigan State in Iowa City last weekend, the Hawkeyes are in the middle of a three-match losing skid.
Iowa's lineup features the No. 6 doubles pair in the nation in Will Davies and Oliver Okonkwo. The two hold an 8-2 doubles record this season. In singles, Hawkeyes' Kareem Allaf has posted a 7-4 record at the No. 1 slot.
Since 2012, the Nittany Lions are 9-1 against the Hawkeyes, including a 4-0 mark at home in that time span.
LOOKING INTO NEBRASKA
The Huskers are winless in the Big Ten and are coming off two losses in Lincoln against Michigan State and the conference's undefeated leader in No. 25 Michigan. Nebraska hosts the 16th-ranked Buckeyes on Friday before traveling to University Park for Sunday's matchup.
The Nittany Lions have won the last six contests against the Huskers and will look to continue the streak this weekend.
UP NEXT
To wrap up its three-match home stand, Penn State hosts Big Ten foe Ohio State on Saturday, April 3. The Buckeyes swept the Nittany Lions in the first matchup in Columbus earlier this season.
Check GoPSUSports.com for coverage of the Penn State men's tennis team during the season. Follow the team on Twitter @pennstateMTEN, Instagram @pennstatemtennis and on Facebook at facebook.com/pennstatemenstennis.