Maruyama Captures Another Win, Huskers Fall at Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa — The Nebraska men’s tennis team began Big Ten conference play on Sunday, facing off against the #28 Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City. Shunya Maruyama notched another win, advancing his win total to six on the spring season. The freshman from Nagano, Japan, currently leads the team in wins this spring, but Maruyama’s efforts weren’t enough to lift the Huskers over the Hawkeyes.

The day began with doubles play, where the Hawkeyes found success early. At the No. 1 spot Andre Saleh and Patrick Cacciatore fell to the #10 duo in the nation of Will Davies and Oliver Okonkwo, 6-2. At the No. 2 spot  Kareem Allaf and Nikita Snezhko defeated Victor Moreno Lozano and William Gleason, 6-3, capturing the doubles point for Iowa. 

In singles play the Huskers captured two victories. Shunya Maruyama defeated Nikita Snezhko at the No. 5, 6-1, 7-6. While Patrick Cacciatore claimed the other Husker win of the day over Jason Kerst, 4-6, 6-3, 10-7. The sophomore from Tampa, FLA. claimed his fourth win of the spring. Victor Moreno Lozano fell in a tough battle with #61 Kareem Allaf, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, at the No. 1 spot. Oliver Okonkwo defeated William Gleason at the No. 2 spot, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Albert Sprlak-Puk fell to Will Davies at the No. 4 spot, 6-3, 6-4. At the No. 3 spot, Andre Saleh was defeated by Joe Tyler, 6-1, 6-3. 

Next Sunday, March 8, the Huskers Travel to Norman, Oklahoma to face their former Big 12 foe, the Oklahoma Sooners. 

Singles competition

1. #61 Kareem Allaf (IOWA) def. Victor Moreno Lozano (NEB) 5-7, 6-4 (6-1)

2. Oliver Okonkwo (IOWA) def. William Gleason (NEB) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)

3. Joe Tyler (IOWA) def. Andre Saleh (NEB) 6-1, 6-3

4. Will Davies (IOWA) def. Albert Sprlak-Puk (NEB) 6-3, 6-4

5. Shunya Maruyama (NEB) def. Nikita Snezhko (IOWA) 6-1, 7-6 (9-7)

6. Patrick Cacciatore (NEB) def. Jason Kerst (IOWA) 4-6, 6-3, 10-7

Doubles competition

1. #10 Will Davies/Oliver Okonkwo (IOWA) def. Patrick Cacciatore/Andre Saleh (NEB) 6-2

2. Kareem Allaf/Nikita Snezhko (IOWA) def. Victor Moreno Lozano/William Gleason (NEB) 6-3

3. Matt Clegg/Joe Tyler (IOWA) vs. Albert Sprlak-Puk/Shunya Maruyama (NEB) 5-4, unfinished

Match Notes:

Nebraska 2-9

Iowa 10-2; National ranking #28

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,4,5,2,1,6)