EAST LANSING, Michigan -- The University of Iowa men's tennis team beat Michigan State, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at the Michigan State Outdoor Tennis Courts. This victory was Iowa's first conference road win of the year. Additionally, Iowa’s four conference wins are the most in a single season since 2015.
The Hawkeyes picked up the doubles point for the 21st time this year. Sophomore Kareem Allaf and junior Jonas Larsen defeated the No. 1 pair from Michigan State, 6-3, registering their fourth straight win to end the regular season. Freshmen Will Davies and Piotr Smietana recorded their 18th victory at No. 2 doubles against Koenen/Mukherjee of Michigan State to clinch the point. Senior Jake Jacobyand freshman Joe Tyler's match on court three was suspended due to Iowa taking two from the Spartans.
Iowa jumped out to a 3-1 lead in singles action, winning on courts four and six. Allaf won in straight sets (6-3, 6-3), improving his record to a perfect 6-0 on court four against Big Ten opponents this season. The victory was also Allaf’s eighth straight since April 1. Davies picked up the other point for the Hawkeyes, also winning in straight sets. His victory over Carlin earned the England native his 19th win of the year.
Tyler clinched the dual for the Black and Gold in three sets over Jasper Koenen (6-4, 2-6, 6-3), notching his sixth league win. Josh Silverstein registered Iowa’s final point, winning 7-6(4), 6-3 over Brett Forman on court one.
QUOTING HEAD COACH ROSS WILSON:
"We have a great opportunity for our team to play on our home courts in the Big Ten Tournament later this week. We look forward to having two days of practice before we play a tough Northwestern team in the first round."
NEXT MATCH:
Iowa hosts Northwestern, who the Hawkeyes defeated by the score of 4-1 on April 1, in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament in Iowa City at 10 a.m. (CT) on Thursday. Admission is free to the public.
Iowa 5, Michigan State 2
April 22, 2018 | 11 a.m. (CT) | East Lansing, Michigan | Michigan State Outdoor Tennis Courts
Singles
1. Josh Silverstein (UI) def Brett Forman (MSU): 7-6(4), 6-3
2. Michael Dube (MSU) def. Piotr Smietana (UI): 6-4, 6-2
3. Joe Tyler (UI) def. Jasper Koenen (MSU): 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
4. Kareem Allaf (UI) def. Josh Mukherjee (MSU): 6-3, 6-3
5. Davis Wong (MSU) def. Jonas Larsen (UI): 6-3, 6-1
6. Will Davies (UI) def. John Carlin (MSU): 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1. Allaf/Larsen (UI) def. Johnson/Schalet (MSU): 6-3
2. Smietana/Davies (UI) def. Koenen/Mukherjee (MSU): 6-4
3. Dube/Carlin (MSU) vs. Tyler/Jacoby (UI): 4-3, unfinished
Match Notes:
Iowa: 16-13 (4-7)
Michigan State: 8-18 (1-10)
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (6,5,4,2,3,1)