Freshman men’s tennis player Matt Hagan was named the U.S. Tennis Association Missouri Valley Player of the Year at a sectional meeting on Tuesday, according to a release.

The Missouri Valley section includes the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

The highlight of Hagan’s fall season with the Hawkeyes came during the season-ending Big Ten indoor championships in Iowa City. Hagan claimed the Flight B doubles championship with sophomore Jonas Dierckx, a title that capped a 9-2 doubles record for Hagan in the fall.

The Omaha native also racked up a a 5-1 singles record and a flight title at the Drake Invitational in late September.

Longtime head coach Steve Houghton heaped praise on his 6-6 freshman.

"This is really a great honor for Matt, because the Missouri Valley includes some of the top players in the nation," the 31-year head coach said in a release. "Matt has already established himself as one of the strongest players on our team."

The Hawkeyes will kick off their spring season against William & Mary in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Kickoff Classic in Williamsburg, Va., on Jan. 28.

— by Ryan Murphy