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Iowa City, Iowa– University of Iowa Student-Athletes Academic Services recognized redshirt junior Kareem Allaf (men’s tennis) and sophomore Maddy Murphy (field hockey) as October’s male and female student-athletes of the month.
The honor, voted by their peers, recognizes student-athletes who have excelled not only in their sports, but in the classroom as well.
Allaf won six straight matches, including two over ranked opponents, to win the ITA Central Regional Championship, Oct. 18-21, in Tulsa, Okla. Allaf is one of three Hawkeyes to accomplish the feat in program history, and the first in 19 years (Tyler Cleveland in 1999). The regional title earned Allaf a singles spot at the National Fall Championships in Surprise, Ariz., beginning Nov. 7. He also posted a 7-1 singles record during the month of October, including winning his last seven matches. Allaf is currently ranked 35th nationally with partner Jonas Larsen in doubles.
Murphy earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the first time in her career. She led the team in goals (4) and points (10) in October. Murphy netted her first career hat trick against No.6 Penn State on Oct.12, leading Iowa to its first win over Penn State since 2014. Murphy leads the team in goals (12) and points (33) this season as one of Iowa’s main attackers. Iowa was 3-3 in October with all three wins over top-25 opponents. Iowa was ranked as high as seventh in the nation during the month.
Murphy and the Hawkeyes will play in the NCAA tournament this Friday Nov. 9, at 1:30 p.m. (CT) in Durham, North Carolina.
