North Allegheny product Isaacs soars for Duquesne tennis team

North Allegheny alum Jared Isaacs is on a record-setting pace as a senior on the Duquesne men’s tennis team.

Isaacs became the Dukes’ all-time singles wins leader with his 77th career victory in an Atlantic 10 match against Davidson on March 3.

In the next dual match, he became the Dukes’ all-time total wins leader with 147 with a doubles victory over Charleston. It was his 70th career doubles win.

He looked to become the all-time doubles wins leader with six more victories. Isaacs won in doubles against St. Joseph’s on March 10.

“I only started playing tennis in ninth grade,” said Isaacs, the 2015 PIAA Class AAA and 2016 WPIAL boys doubles champion with Richard Hoffman. “Basketball was my favorite sport.

“After my junior year at Duquesne, I knew the (singles) record was within reach. It was a goal of mine since last summer to break the record.”

Duquesne coach Vanessa Steiner said competitiveness is Isaacs’ greatest strength.

“He loves the game, and that shines through when he is on court or even talking about tennis, his teammates or Duquesne,” she said. “He inspires everyone around him, both on and off the court.”

The 5-foot-10 Isaacs said his goal is to help the team go deep into the A-10 tournament. The Dukes lost in the quarterfinals last season.

Isaacs, who is studying supply-chain management and sports marketing and has a job lined up with a bank as an analyst, does not plan to retire from tennis.

“I plan to enter some local professional doubles tournaments and will continue to give lessons to adults and junior players,” he said. “I also plan to get several tennis teaching certifications.”

Isaacs joins his sister in the record books.

Kylie Isaacs is the Dukes’ all-time women’s career wins leader with 188 from 2015-18.