(STILLWATER, Oklahoma / Feb. 10, 2018) – Oklahoma State head coach Jay Udwadia earned his 100th win at OSU as the Cowboy tennis team defeated Northwestern, 4-2, on Friday at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.
The No. 9 Cowboys are now 8-0 the season, marking their best start since the 2013-14 season (9-0).
"It was a good team win, I was very impressed by Northwestern," Udwadia said. "They're a really gritty team. You saw at the end, we really had to put them away, it took us a long time."
The Cowboys (8-0, 0-0 Big 12) got off to a fast start as they took the doubles point for the seventh time this season.
Julian Cash and Luke Hammond claimed the first doubles win on Friday for the Cowboys, as they defeated Ben Vandixhorn and Dominik Stary of Northwestern, 6-3.
Artur Dubinski and Eleftherios Theodorou followed their win by defeating Northwestern's Nick Brookes and Michael Lorenzini, 7-5, on court two.
"We have a really good record playing doubles together," Theodorou said of his partner, Dubinski. "The chances are limited against a team like Northwestern. When we get a chance, we have to capitalize like we did. So, I think that was big by us."
After taking the doubles point, Jurence Mendoza took the first singles point of the match. Mendoza defeated Northwestern's Chris Ephron, 6-1, 6-2, on court six. Mendoza has not lost a singles match this dual season (6-0).
Next to score for the Cowboys was No. 88 Julian Cash, who defeated No. 92 Antonioni Fasano in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1. This victory gave the Cowboys a commanding 3-0 lead.
The next two points would go to Northwestern as both Tristan Meraut and Mathieu Scaglia fell to their opponents. This made the score 3-2, with the Wildcats closing in on the Cowboys.
It was then that Cowboy junior Artur Dubinski clinched the match in a tie break with Northwestern's Dominik Stary, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7). No. 94 Dubinski in now 8-4 on the season.
The win not only marks Coach Udwadia's 100th win at OSU, but the 244th win in his 16-year career.
"It's really a reflection of the players, the support staff and supporters like Michael and Anne Greenwood. I give them the credit for those victories, I'm just happy to be along for the ride. It's been great to be coaching here at OSU, I feel very privileged to be at a school like this. I'm hoping we can keep tallying up those wins for OSU."
Next up, the Cowboys will face their toughest opponent of the year thus far, as they take on No. 1 Wake Forest at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Greenwood Tennis Center.
Keep up with all things OSU Men's Tennis by following @CowboyTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
No. 9 Oklahoma State 4, Northwestern 2
Feb. 9, 2018 | Greenwood Tennis Center | Stillwater, Okla.
Doubles (Order of finish: 1, 3, 2)
C1. Julian Cash/Luke Hammond (OKST) def. Ben Vandixhorn/Dominik Stary (NU) 6-3
C2. Leftherios Theodorou/Artur Dubinski (OKST) def. Nick Brookes/Michael Lorenzini (NU) 7-5
C3. Chris Ephron/Antonioni Fasano (NU) def. Brady Draheim/Jurence Mendoza (OKST) 6-4
Singles (Order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 4, 2)
C1. #88 Julian Cash (OKST) def. #92 Antonioni Fasano (NU) 6-4, 6-1
C2. #94 Artur Dubinski (OKST) def. Dominik Stary (NU) 6-4, 7-6 (9-7)
C3. Nick Brookes (NU) def. Tristan Meraut (OKST) 6-4, 7-6 (3-7)
C4. Ben Vandixhorn (NU) def. #55 Mathieu Scaglia (OKST) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
C5. #125 Luke Hammond (OKST) vs. Jason Seidman (NU) 4-6, 7-5, 3-2, unfinished
C6. Jurence Mendoza (OKST) def. Chris Ephron (NU) 6-1, 6-2
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