The Basics
Oklahoma State’s men’s tennis team (11-9 overall; 0-3) is set to close out the regular season this weekend with a pair of top-25 matchups at the Greenwood Tennis Center. The Cowboys will first play host to No. 1 TCU (20-3; 3-0) April 14 at 5 p.m. (CST) followed by the No. 12 Texas Longhorns (13-9; 1-2) on April 16 at 1 p.m. (CST)
Following the Action
For Thursday’s match against TCU, live stats can also be viewed at: https://okla.st/3LYz7rz and live video at: https://okla.st/2XJRbik. For Saturday’s match against Texas , live stats can be viewed at: https://okla.st/38Cvo4R and live video at: https://okla.st/2XJRbik. For season-long coverage of Oklahoma State men’s tennis, visit okstate.com and follow @CowboyTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
In the Rankings
The Cowboys landed at No. 52 in the latest ITA Division I rankings. OSU’s doubles duo of Tyler Zink and Seb Nothhaft checked in at No. 45, clocking their third consecutive week in the top 50. The pairing holds a 5-1 record on the season, including three nationally ranked takedowns in dual play. Notably, Tyler Zink reentered the individual rankings at No. 108.
Series History
TCU holds a 10-8 all-time advantage over the Cowboys. Against Texas, the Longhorns hold the all-time record, 31-4.
Oklahoma State From A Distance
Oklahoma State is coming off a pair of intense road tests against No. 4 Baylor and Texas Tech where OSU’s 14 consecutive doubles point streak came to an end at the hands of the Bears. Although downed by Baylor, Tyler Zink highlighted the matchup, putting a test to No. 4 Adrian Boitan, 6-7(2), 6-4, 10-8. The Cowboys were quick to put on a show and bounce back for a tight-knit matchup with Texas Tech. The Red Raiders took the doubles point and tallied the first two singles points of the match, but a quick answer from Tyler Zink cut the deficit. Crucial wins by Joseph Chen and Fran Pini knotted play overall, 3-3. A back-and-forth matchup on court two with Alex Garcia landed in Texas Tech’s favor to give them the match, 4-3.
The remainder of OSU's spring slate is filled with a competitive schedule full of opportunities for the new class of Cowboys. OSU began a new chapter in 2021-22 with nine new faces and one veteran that fill the roster. Luke Hammond highlights the new season as the only returner from the 2020-21 season. Notably, six of the new faces first-year head coach Dustin Taylor recruited are transfers from Power Five schools.
The biggest storyline has been Tyler Zink, who earned a main draw wild card at the U.S. Open. The two-time All-American finished the 2021 season with a final ITA ranking of No. 8 in doubles at the University of Georgia. Zink also had a run in the ITA All-American Championships as well as individual tournaments throughout his fall campaign. The junior also found himself ranked among the nation's best by the ITA Preseason ranking at No. 30.
Accompanying Taylor is assistant coach Dane Webb. During his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, Webb was a three-time All-American and the most decorated Sooner in the program with a total of 212 wins during his run.
Streak and Trends
Fran Pini and Leighton Allen hold a eight-match winning streak in doubles play.
The Cowboys have won the doubles point in 14 of the 20 matches on the season.
An Oklahoma State Win Would...
Improve OSU’s all-time record to 11-8 against TCU.
Improve OSU’s all-time record to 32-4 against Texas.
Give OSU its first and second conference wins of the season.
Give head coach Dustin Taylor his ninth and 10th win at home for his first season at OSU.
Give head coach Dustin Taylor his 12th and 13th win for his first season at OSU.
