For most collegiate tennis programs, the fall season is about getting a high volume of repetitions in. As it turns out, this fall session has become something more for Iowa men’s tennis.

The Hawkeyes have certainly logged a fair amount of matches this fall. In doing so, five Hawkeyes managed to navigate their way out to Newport Beach, California, for ITA Oracle National Fall Championships.

“Every fall, it’s just really important for the guys to get a ton of matches in,” head coach Ross Wilson said. “Guys are competing at a high level, making sure they get themselves back into shape for the season.”

Kareem Allaf qualified for the tournament as an individual. Allaf earned his spot after a stellar performance at ITA Regionals. In Norman, Oklahoma, Allaf advanced to the singles round of four. He finished the tournament tied for fourth.

This is not Allaf’s first time making the trip west for ITA Fall Nationals. Last season, Allaf traveled to Sunrise, Arizona, for the tournament. Allaf became the first Hawkeye to make Fall Nationals in 19 years.

In addition to Allaf, two Iowa doubles tandems qualified for Fall Nationals. Teammates Matt Clegg and Nikita Snezhko comprise the first team. Junior Will Davies and sophomore Oliver Okonkwo make up the second team.

Clegg and Snezhko’s remarkable résumé led them to Newport this fall. The duo is 6-2 on the season. They advanced to the semifinals at ITA Regionals, where they would finish in a tie for fourth.

Davies’ and Okonkwo’s path to California is similar to that of Clegg and Snezhko. At ITA Regionals, Okonkwo and Davies made the doubles division championship. While the pair did not win, being runners-up at any ITA event is nothing to frown about.

The Hawkeyes’ doubles teams deserve to be classified in an elite category this season. Iowa is one of three programs to have multiple doubles dyads competing at the ITA Oracle National Fall Championships. 

Baylor and Oklahoma State are the only other schools to have multiple doubles teams compete this season. The feat is especially impressive, considering the field is made up of 32 regularly elite teams. Clegg and Snezhko, and Okonkwo and Davies are the first Hawkeyes to qualify for the Fall Nationals doubles bracket in 20 years.

RELATED: Strong performance marks end of fall session for Iowa women’s tennis

One might believe a single tournament outing makes a team busy enough for one week. It appears as if Hawkeye tennis disagrees with this notion. 

Junior Morgan Lohan will also be competing this week. Lohan will be competing in a tournament separate than that of his teammates. In fact, he will be playing on the opposite coast. Lohan will find himself in Annapolis, Maryland, for the Navy and Gold Invitational.

The ITA Oracle National Fall Championships begin tomorrow. The Navy and Gold Invitational will start play on Friday.

This week presents the opportunity for the Hawkeyes to establish themselves as national contenders. In California, Iowa will see the toughest and most talented competition of the fall session. 

If Iowa finds success at such a prestigious event, NCAA National Championship thoughts might deserve some legitimate real estate in the minds of Hawkeye tennis fans, coaches, and players.