Off and Running

Off and Running

Sept. 16, 2011

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. –The University of Iowa men’s tennis team opened the fall season strong at the Purdue Invitational on Friday. The Hawkeyes went 5-2 in doubles and 6-4 in singles at the Schwartz Tennis Center.

“Overall, we had a good day and a good start to the fall season,” said Head Coach Steve Houghton. “Two guys played particularly well; freshman Matt Hagan, winning all his matches, and Jonas Dierckxwith an impressive win in Flight A.”

Freshman Matt Haganaccounted for four of Iowa’s victories, going 2-0 in singles and in doubles in his collegiate debut. The Omaha native defeated DePaul’s Josh Dancu 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the Flight B Singles Main Draw. Hagan then defeated Case Western’s Bas Van Lent 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in the second round of the tournament. Hagan is one victory away from the quarterfinals.

Hagan was just as successful in doubles play, teaming up with sophomore Chase Tomlinsto go 2-0 in Flight B. The duo knocked off Case Western’s Will Drougas and Eric Klawitter 8-2. Hagan and Tomlins then defeated Vincennes’ Jose Zaatini and Bermudez 8-5. The duo will play in the Flight B semifinals on Saturday.

Sophomore Jonas Dierckxpicked up an impressive victory to start the season with a win in the Flight A Singles Main Draw, defeating Drake’s Jean Erasmus 7-5, 6-3.

Junior Connor Gilmore won his match in the Flight B Singles Main Draw after a bye in the first round. Gilmore defeated Case Western’s Derek Reinbold 6-2, 6-2. Joey White and Mitch Beckerteach went 1-1 in Flight B singles. White defeated Case Western’s Bas Van Lent in the first round 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. Beckert knocked off Case Western’s John Healey 7-5, 6-2 in the first round as well.

Junior Garret Dunnand Dierckx picked up a victory in the first round of the Flight A Doubles Main Draw. The duo defeated DePaul’s Aaron Chaffee and George Chanturia 8-5 before falling in the second round.

White and senior Christopher Speerwent 2-0 in the Flight C Doubles Main Draw to reach the finals. Speer and White defeated Case Western’s Bas Van Lent and Derek Reinbold 8-2. The Hawkeye duo then defeated Purdue’s Jan-Frans Engelbrecht and Kristzian Krockso 9-8 (5) in the semifinals.

Action will begin again on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the Schwartz Tennis Center with singles and doubles play.

Purdue Invitational

Flight A Singles Main Draw

Felix Coepper (UWGB) def. Garret Dunn(IOWA) 6-2, 6-3

Aaron Dujovne (PU) def. Chase Tomlins(IOWA) 6-2, 6-3

Jonas Dierckx(IOWA) def. Jean Erasmus (Drake) 7-5, 6-3

Flight B Singles Main Draw

Connor Gilmore(IOWA) def. Derek Reinbold (Case) 6-2, 6-2

Matt Hagan(IOWA) def. Josh Dancu (DePaul) 6-7, 6-3, 6-2

Matt Hagan(IOWA) def. Aaron Wong (WMU) 6-1, 6-4

Joey White(IOWA) def. Bas Van Lent (Case) 4-6, 7-5, 7-5

Grant Adams (Toledo) def. Joey White(IOWA) 6-1, 6-2

Mitch Beckert(IOWA) def. John Healey (Case) 7-5, 6-2

Evan Hawkins (PU) def. Mitch Beckert(IOWA) 6-1, 5-7, 6-3

Paul Swanson (UWGB) def. Chris Speer (IOWA) 6-0, 6-0

Flight A Doubles Main Draw

Garret Dunn/Jonas Dierckx (IOWA) def. Chafee/Chanturia (DePaul) 8-5

Hueur/Krockso (PU) def. Dunn/Dierckx (IOWA) 8-6

Flight B Doubles Main Draw

Ward/Nott (Arkansas) def. Connor Gilmore/Mitch Beckert (IOWA) 9-8

Matt Hagan/Chase Tomlins (IOWA) def. Drougas/Klawitter (Case) 8-2

Hagan/Tomlins (IOWA) def. Bermudez/Zaatini (VU) 8-5

Flight C Doubles Main Draw

Joey White/Chris Speer (IOWA) def. Reinbold/Van Lent (Case) 8-2

White/Speer (IOWA) def. Engelbrecht/Krockez (PU) 9-8 (5)