Iowa men’s tennis trending toward success
The Iowa men’s tennis team is undefeated in the Big Ten. The Daily Iowan took a look at the numbers to find out how.
Will Davies hits the ball during the Men’s tennis match against University of Miami at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex on Feb. 8, 2019. Davies lost his singles match against Miami’s William Grattan-Smith. Miami defeated Iowa 4-1. (Katie Goodale/The Daily Iowan)
March 27, 2019
So far this season, the Iowa men’s tennis team has accomplished things that only a few other Hawkeye teams have done in the past. From Kareem Allaf winning an Central Regional singles title to defeating both Minnesota and Wisconsin in the same weekend for the first time in 30 years, Iowa has been on a roll.
However you look at it, the Iowa men’s tennis team has been superb this season, starting 12-4 with 10 dual matches left, including eight Big Ten contests.
To get a better glimpse of how solid the Hawkeyes have been in their Big Ten matches, take a look at some impressive numbers that have led to recent success.
61.1 — winning percentage in singles play
Through three games played in Big Ten matches this season, Iowa has taken advantage of its individual matchups. The Hawkeyes have gone 11-7 in singles matches against Nebraska, No. 18 Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Iowa has gone undefeated at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions (6-0). Players such as sophomores Will Davies and Joe Tyler have also been hot recently, posting a 6-0 record when playing at either Nos. 3, 4, or 5.
6-0 — Will Davies’ record
Undoubtedly the most consistent player this season, Davies has taken over recently. He has posted a team-best 13 singles wins this spring (13-3). More importantly, however, he has also added a 12-2 record in doubles with freshman partner Oliver Okonkwo. With Davies being so consistent in doubles, it has allowed Iowa to post an undefeated record when it secures the doubles point.
The second-year player has been nothing short of phenomenal, the key reason Iowa has gone 2-1 in securing the doubles point in Big Ten play. He was also a key contributor for the Hawkeyes in their victory over Wisconsin when they weren’t able to secure the doubles point but still managed to pull off the victory.
62.5 — winning percentage in doubles play
Without question, the men’s tennis team lives and dies by the doubles point. All season, it seems as if when Iowa isn’t able to pick up the doubles point, it loses. Again, the Hawkeyes have only won one match this season when they fail to secure the doubles point.
Although they’ve proven they can win without it, that’s not to say it’s going to happen more often than not, especially in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are 5-3 in doubles matches in the Big Ten, which has allowed them to go 3-0 in the conference. Still, it is going to have to continue with hot starts in order to remain successful.
Iowa is just 1-5 in the Big Ten at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots this season. Being able to secure the doubles point will allow the squad to mask some of its holes in the higher spots as it continues to head to the final stretch of Big Ten dual matches.
