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)