Oklahoma State University Athletics
Men's Tennis Team Looks to Continue Momentum
November 04, 2004 | Cowboy Tennis
In 2004, the Pokes advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight year, but lost in the first round to Arkansas.
The Cowboys are looking to build upon what they accomplished the last two seasons. It is easier when you have a player as talented as Mark Van Elden.
Van Elden, a senior from Geelong, Australia, was ranked No. 13 in the initial preseason poll released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the highest preseason ranking in school history. Van Elden was recently selected as an at-large bid to the ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships set to begin on Thursday in Ann Arbor, Mich.
In the regional qualifier this past weekend, Van Elden helped lead the Cowboys past Oklahoma and Arkansas with convincing straight set victories. He defeated No. 10 Adrians Zguns of Arkansas, 6-4, 6-3.
Arkansas was the host school and the top seed in the event.
“Oklahoma State just jumped all over us,” Arkansas head coach Robert Cox said.
“Mark is a tremendous talent,” head coach James Wadley said. “He is as good as OSU has ever had. When he is at his best he has proven that he can win against anyone in the country.”
The Cowboys lost the doubles' point in both of the duals, but they rebounded to win all eight sets of singles play, and they were leading the other three matches against Arkansas when the match was stopped. The Cowboys have now won 11 straight dual victories over the rival Sooners.
Van Elden was not the only Cowboy with a strong performance over the weekend. Sophomore Daniel Byrnes made his first appearance of the fall, after having wrist surgery over the summer, defeating Oklahoma's Lee Gregg in straight sets.
Junior Tomas Bohunicky won both of his matches in straight sets, including a victory over Alexei Ivanov, OU's top player last season. He defeated regional runner-up Rohan Gajar of Arkansas, 7-5, 6-2, to seal the victory over the Razorbacks.
OSU got a big lift from its newest player, Artsem Burmistrau. The sophomore transfer from Illinois-Chicago compiled a cumulative record of 8-2 during the fall. He also won his flight at the RazorRacket Invitational. Burmistrau took care of Arkansas' Matt Simpson in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
Felipe Diaz cruised to an easy victory over Arkansas' Imraan Ismail, 6-3, 6-0.
The doubles' tandem of Boris Kuharic and Felipe Diaz compiled a fall record of 8-3. The duo won the RazorRacket Invitational and defeated Oklahoma's top double's team of Alexei Ivanov and Federico Chavarria 8-5. Kuharic and Diaz finished as runners-up at the ITA Central Regional.
OSU currently has three players ranked by the ITA, The most ever under Coach Wadley. Bohunicky is ranked No. 82, while senior Kuharic is No. 114.
“It is a tremendous accomplishment for our team,” Coach Wadley said. “We are excited to have the opportunity to compete with some of the nation's best teams and to have a chance to be included in such an elite group.”
The team victories over the weekend qualified the Cowboys for the National ITA Indoor Championships in Chicago in February. The event is hosted by the University of Illinois, and many of the nation's top teams will be represented.
