Oklahoma State University Athletics
No. 34 Cowboys upset No. 23 TCU, 5-2
March 27, 2006 | Cowboy Tennis
“I'm really proud of our guys today,” said OSU coach James Wadley. “Everyone had to contribute for us to win today.”
After splitting doubles matches at No.2 and No.3, the Cowboys duo of Daniel and Nathan Byrnes came from behind twice to beat TCU's tandem of Rafael Abreu and Jordan Freitas in a 7-4 tiebreaker. All three doubles matches were decided in tiebreakers.
“I have never seen all three doubles go to a tiebreaker anywhere in my 35 years of coaching,” Wadley said. “It came down to Daniel and Nathan to win the point, and Nathan did a super job in the tiebreaker to win it for us.”
The Horned Frogs (6-3) evened the overall score at one, after Jacopo Tezza beat OSU sophomore Ivan Puchkarov in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0.
The Cowboys (5-1) regained the lead for good when junior Artie Burmistrau and freshman Olexsander Kotsiuk both won their matches in straight sets.
TCU earned its second point when Cosmin Cotet defeated senior Felipe Diaz, 3-6, 3-6, but Cowboy senior Tomas Bohunicky sealed the Cowboy victory with an upset over No. 76 Rafael Abreu, 6-2, 6-3.
“Tomas showed really good senior leadership to get the upset victory over a very tough ranked opponent,” Wadley said.
With the team victory sealed, OSU's No. 45 Daniel Byrnes fought off back pain to defeat Andrei Mlendea in three sets, 7-5, 0-6, 6-2.
“I thought Daniel did a great job to win with the back pain he was feeling,” Wadley said. “He could have given up after we clinched the match, but he fought through the pain to win.”
Overall, Wadley said he was very happy with the performance of his team.
“This is a really good TCU team, and for us to beat them in singles and doubles is impressive,” Wadley said. “To beat them four out of six in singles after fighting to win the doubles point is quite a tribute to this young team.”
The Cowboys return to the Debois Tennis Complex on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. match against the University of Texas-Arlington.
Results
Singles
1. - #45 Daniel Byrnes def. Andrei Mlendea; 7-5, 0-6, 6-2
2. Tomas Bohunicky def. #76 Rafael Abreu; 6-2, 6-3
3. Cosmin Cotet def. Felipe Diaz; 6-3, 6-3
4. Jacopo Tezza def. Ivan Puchkarov; 6-2, 6-0
5. Artie Burmistrau def. Kriegler Brink; 6-0, 6-3
6. Olexsander Kotsiuk def. Jordan Freitas; 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Byrnes/Byrnes def. Abreu/Freitas; 9-8 (7-4)
2. Cotet/Mlendea def. Burmistrau/Bohunicky; 9-8 (8-6)
3. Diaz/Puchkarov def. Tezza/Brink; 9-8 (7-4)
