Hawkeyes Host Western Michigan, Marquette in Home Opener

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THIS WEEK:
The University of Iowa men’s tennis team will open its season with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. against Western Michigan followed by Marquette at 6 p.m. Both matches will be contested in Iowa City at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex. Admission is free to the public.

WATCH MATCHES ONLINE:
All Iowa home matches are available for fans to watch online for free via Playsight Technology. Click on the “Watch” link on the schedule page on hawkeyesports.com.

WESTERN MICHIGAN PREVIEW:
• The Broncos entered this season the 2019 MAC Favorites in the Men’s Tennis Preseason Poll, voted on by the coaches. 
• Last season, Western Michigan finished 22-5 overall, winning both the regular season conference championship, the MAC Tournament championship and qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
• Last year, the Broncos beat the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, 5-2. It was Iowa’s only home nonconference loss of the season. 

MARQUETTE PREVIEW:
• Last year, the Golden Eagles won it’s first-ever Big East title with an overall record of 17-7, advancing to the NCAA Tournament. 
• The Hawkeyes are 10-1 all-time against the Golden Eagles. Iowa won, 7-0, in its last meeting on Jan. 19, 2018.

A SEASON AGO:
•  The Hawkeyes enter 2019 following the one of the most successful seasons in program history. 
•  The Hawkeyes won 12 matches at the HTRC, but their best win of the year was the highest-ranked win in program history against No. 14 Dartmouth on the road. 
•    Iowa recorded a 4-3 record against ranked foes. 
•  Iowa returns six letterwinners from last year’s team, including five starters.

ALLAF’S FALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
•    Allaf won 11 matches during competition, including seven in a row to capture the ITA Central Regional championship. He became the third Hawkeye to accomplish the feat in school history. 
•    The regional title earned him a berth in the Oracle Fall National Championships, a first for a Hawkeye since Tyler Cleveland in 1999. 
•    In October, he was named Iowa’s Male Athlete of the Month.
•    Allaf finished No. 73 in the National Fall Rankings posted by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. 

FOLLOW THE HAWKEYES:
Fans can follow the Hawkeyes all season long and receive live match updates on Facebook (facebook.com/IowaMensTennis) and Twitter (@IowaMensTennis). Fans can also get a behind the scenes look on Instagram (iowamenstennis). 

HEAD COACH ROSS WILSON: 
Ross Wilson, a former two-time NCAA All-American and three-time ITA national doubles champion at Ohio State, is in his fifth season as head coach and sixth year with the Iowa men’s tennis program.