The Penn State men's tennis team just can't seem to get over that Big Ten hump.

The Nittany Lions (11-6, 0-4 Big Ten) fell 4-3 in a heartbreaker to Iowa (9-5, 1-2) on Saturday.

The Lions were forced to play without senior Damon Accardi at No. 4 and junior Chris DeStefano at No.6 due to injury. Freshman Todd Stecko and sophomore Brad Nudell filled in for the Lions.

"The guys did a good job today not using the excuse of injury," Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said. "They know they got to play with what you have. Some guys got a chance and showed you what they can do. The guys played hard that we had out there."

The Lions started off on the right foot by securing the doubles' point. However, the Lions' No. 1 doubles team, junior Jamie Gresh and senior Matt Nielsen, dropped their match against the No. 31 doubles team in the country, senior Tyler Cleveland and sophomore Stuart Waters. The Lions rebounded to win at No. 2 and 3 doubles to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Hawkeyes looked to be in trouble as Cleveland, last season's Big Ten Player of the Year, was struggling and frustrated with Gresh. Gresh led in the second set 4-1, but Cleveland rattled off five straight games to win the match 6-4, 6-4.

"I needed to serve better," Gresh said. "I needed to be more aggressive, I had some opportunities."

Sophomore Matt Frakes won in straight sets at No .4 to give the Lions the lead 2-1.

Westhuyzen had led Waters at No. 2 singles by a set and led in the second set 3-2, but Waters came back to win the second set 6-3. Waters would then go on to take the deciding set 6-3 and tie it up for the Hawkeyes at 2-2.

"Steve didn't get after the guy after taking the lead," Bortner said. "He let down and didn't work hard when he needed to."

Stecko at No. 5 struggled throughout the match against sophomore Hunter Skogman. Skogman used his strong serve and stroke to keep Stecko's speed in check. Stecko dropped the match in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

The Lions trailed 3-2, as did Nielsen by a set. Nielsen trailed 4-3 in the second set before taking four of the next five games to take the second set, 7-5.

Nielsen with the momentum and emotion on his side tied the match up for the Lions at 3, winning the third set 6-2. Nielsen leapt and pumped his fists repeatedly after winning his match as his team came out on the court to congratulate him.

The match rested on the shoulders of Nudell, who had taken the first set from sophomore Eric Kozlowski. Nudell struggled in sets two and three as both teams surrounded the court. Nudell dropped sets two and three (6-4, 6-3) as Kozlowski and teammates ran off the court to celebrate their 4-3 victory.

"About half way through the match my shots got shorter and he got more aggressive," Nudell said. "He came in on me and I didn't do a good job of being aggressive my self and keeping him back."

The Lions have two chances next weekend to get their first Big Ten victory of the season as the Lions travel to both No. 53 Michigan and Michigan State.

"The competitors we have, which most of them are, will know how close they were," Bortner said. "Despite missing the starters they will know they can get the job done."