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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s tennis team extended its win streak to four after a pair of wins on over Marquette (5-2) and Omaha (6-1) on Saturday the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex.
In the first match of the day, Iowa took five of six singles matches from Marquette after dropping the doubles point. Senior Jason Kerst kicked things off for the Hawkeyes with a dominant victory over Stefan Dragovic (6-1, 6-1) at No. 5. Sophomore Oliver Okonkwo notched his first win of the 2020 season, bouncing Brett Meyers (7-6, 6-4) on court three. Junior Will Davies outlasted Fran San Andres in three sets on court four (4-6, 6-3, 6-4). Senior Kareem Allaf, ranked No. 60 nationally, clinched the match on court one over Luke Smrek in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-4). Junior Joe Tyler added the final point for the Hawkeyes at No. 2, defeating Luis Heredia-Gomez (6-4, 2-6, 7-6).
In the nightcap of the doubleheader, Iowa soundly won the doubles the point. Tyler/Clegg defeated Omaha’s Piles-Ballester/Henry, 6-1, on court three. Snezhko/Allaf followed suit, registering a win at No. 2 over Lawley/Outtara, 6-3.
Davies beat Hugo Piles-Ballester in straight sets (6-1, 6-1). Kerst picked up his second victory of the day, knocking off Davis Lawley (6-3, 6-0). Sophomore Nikita Snezhko cliched the Hawkeye victory with his first win of the 2020 season, beating Yaswanth Mylavarpu (6-4, 6-4) on court six. Allaf cruised to his fourth win of the season, bouncing Nathan Reekie (6-2, 6-2) at No. 2. Okonkwo played with confidence on court three with his second win of the day, beating Matt Hulme in straight sets (7-6, 6-2). Tyler dropped his first match of the season in a third set tiebreaker to Abdoul Ouattara (10-6).
Quoting Mellecker Family Head Coach Ross Wilson
“I thought today was a good day. It wasn’t our best doubles effort against Marquette, the guys were frustrated with that, but the guys bounced back in a big way in singles. We showed a lot of mental toughness, especially at the end, to pull out three three-set matches against Marquette.”
“It was good to see us win the doubles point tonight after a long match in the morning. We got back on the right track and it was a good team effort. Joe Tyler played No. 1 singles in tonight’s match, who was undefeated up to this point, before losing to Omaha. He has been a bright spot for our team so far.”
Up Next
Iowa (4-1 overall) travels to Des Moines next Saturday to face Drake at 6 p.m. (CT) at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
Iowa 5, Marquette 2
Jan. 25 | Noon | Iowa City, Iowa | Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex
Singles
1. #60 Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Luke Smrek (MU): 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
2. Joe Tyler (UI) def. Luis Heredia Gomez (MU): 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3)
3. Oliver Okonkwo (UI) def. Brett Meyers (MU): 7-6(5), 6-4
4. Will Davies (UI) def. Fran San Andres (MU): 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Jason Kerst (UI) def. Stefan Dragovic (MU): 6-1, 6-1
6. Brandon Shanklin (MU) def. Matt Clegg (UI): 7-5, 7-5
Doubles
1. #16 Davies/ Okonkwo (UI) vs. Smrek/Gomez (MU): 5-2, unfinished
2. Meyers/San Andres (MU) def. Allaf/Snezhko (UI): 6-4
3. Dragovic/Shanklin (MU) def. Tyler/Clegg (UI): 6-4
Match Notes:
Marquette: 0-2
Iowa: 3-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (5,6,3,4,1,2)
Iowa 6, Omaha 1
Jan. 25 | 5 p.m. | Iowa City, Iowa | Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Complex
Singles
1. Abdoul Ouattara (OMAHA) def. Joe Tyler (UI): 4-6, 7-6(6), 10-6
2. #60 Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Nathan Reekie (OMAHA): 6-2, 6-2
3. Oliver Okonkwo (UI) def. Matt Hulme (OMAHA): 7-6(5), 6-2
4. Will Davies (UI) def. Hugo Piles Ballester (OMAHA): 6-1, 6-1
5. Jason Kerst (UI) def. Davis Lawley (OMAHA): 6-3, 6-0
6. Nikita Snezhko (UI) def. Yaswanth Mylavarapu (OMAHA): 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
1. #16 Davies/Okonkwo (UI) vs. Reekie/Hulme (OMAHA): 5-2, unfinished
2. Allaf/Snezhko (UI) def. Ouattara/Lawley (OMAHA): 6-3
3. Clegg/Tyler (UI) def. Henry/Ballester (OMAHA): 6-1
Match Notes:
Iowa: 4-1
Omaha: 0-2
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,5,6,2,3,1)
