Hawk Talk Monthly — January | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2019-20 | Fight For Iowa | Boxscore
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s tennis team was edged in its season opener by Texas Tech, 4-3, Thursday evening in a match that lasted nearly four hours at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex.
The Red Raiders, who finished last season ranked No. 27 nationally, captured the doubles point with victories on courts one (6-4) and three (6-3) over 16th-ranked Davies/Okonkwo and Allaf/Snezhko, respectively.
Texas Tech increased its lead over the Hawkeyes to 3-0 with singles wins by Bjorn Thomson at No. 6 and 69th-ranked Ilgaz Valiev at No. 2 before 60th-ranked Kareem Allaf got the Hawkeyes on the board with a 6-4, 7-6(3) triumph over Parker Wynn on court one. Juniors Joe Tyler and Will Davies notched three-set victories on courts three and four, respectively. Tyler posted a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win over No. 114 Reed Collier, while Davies rallied to bounce Francisco Vittar, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6.
The match came down to the singles contest on court No. 5. Senior Jason Kerst was outlasted by Franco Ribero, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5, in the deciding match.
Quoting Mellecker Family Head Coach Ross Wilson
“I thought it was a great effort by our guys today. It was the first match of the year and we knew we’d have a tough one in Texas Tech. It is always a battle with those guys and I’m happy we came mentally prepared and competed hard. They gave it all they had and emotionally they were there.
We can definitely play a lot better tennis, especially in doubles. I’m sure we will correct some things in practice, but credit Texas Tech’s No. 1 doubles team for playing a great match and it showed why they finished in the top-10 in the country. Credit to them at the end in the No. 5 singles match, it could’ve gone either way. It was a good day competitively and I believe we can build on this. Texas Tech finished 27th in the country last year and it showed; we can play with anyone and have a chance to win. We’re looking forward to playing again on Saturday.”
Up Next
Iowa will host Western Michigan (11 a.m. CT) and Creighton (4 p.m. CT) on Saturday at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex. Admission is free to the public.
Texas Tech 4, Iowa 3
Jan. 16, 2020 | 6 p.m. | Iowa City, Iowa | Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex
Singles
1. #60 Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Parker Wynn (TT): 6-4, 7-6(3)
2. #69 Ilgaz Valiev (TT) def. Oliver Okonkwo (UI): 7-6(6), 6-3
3. Joe Tyler (UI) def. #114 Reed Collier (TT): 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
4. Will Davies (UI) def. Francisco Vittar (TT): 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(9)
5. Franco Ribero (TT) def. Jason Kerst (UI): 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
6. Bjorn Thomson (TT) def. Matt Clegg (UI): 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Wynn/Thomson (TT) def. #16 Okonkwo/Davies (UI): 6-4
2. Allaf/Snezhko (UI) vs. Cobb/Valiev (TT): 5-5, unfinished
3. Collier/Vittar (TT) def. Clegg/Tyler (UI): 6-3
Match Notes:
Texas Tech: 1-0
Iowa: 0-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (6,2,1,3,4,5)
