IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa men’s tennis program sent seven returnees and one newcomer to the 2016 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Summer Championships on the campus of Indiana University from Aug. 13-16.
The champion of the singles draw received a wildcard into the ITA All-American main draw while the runner up won a wildcard into the qualifying bracket of the ITA All-American tournament.
Iowa redshirt freshman Kareem Allaf was the highest Hawkeye finisher in singles play, advancing to the semifinals after defeating three Big Ten opponents in earlier rounds. Allaf finished his tournament with a, 6-2, 7-6(2), loss to Raheel Manji of Indiana.
Sophomore Jonas Larsen was the next highest finisher for the Hawkeyes, reaching the quarterfinals where he faced Ben Goldberg of UCLA.
Juniors Jake Jacoby and Josh Silverstein, along with freshman Jason Kerst, finished singles play in the Round of 16. Jacoby fell to Goldberg in his final match.
The Hawkeyes had one senior compete in singles play. Robin Haden defeated Morgan Red, 8-0, in the first round. An eight-game pro set was in effect during the first three rounds due to rain delays.
In doubles action, the duos of Silverstein and classmate, Lefteris Theodorou, and Haden and Larsen both competed in semifinal matches. The junior squad of Silverstein/Theodorou faced the eventual tournament champions, Manji/Cembellin of Indiana.
Jacoby and Allaf saw Mateas/Lin of Duke in quarterfinal action who played Haden/Larsen in the next round.
The winner of the doubles draw received a wildcard into the ITA All-American doubles main draw.
