Oklahoma Edges Cal, 4-3, in NCAA First Round Action

In one of just four first round matches to be decided by a point, 26^th-ranked Oklahoma edged No. 40 Cal, 4-3, in NCAA first round action Saturday at the DeBois Tennis Center in Stillwater.

Oklahoma (20-8) advances to the second round where it will face the winner of Oklahoma State and Sacramento State Sunday at 2 p.m. in Stillwater.

The Sooners took the early momentum against the Golden Bears by nabbing the doubles point. After splitting at No. 1 and 2 doubles, the crucial point came down to No. 3 doubles where the Sooner tandem of Mark Velicka and Ryan Thomas battled back from a, 6-3, deficit to beat Pierre Mouillon and Daniel Sebescen, 9-7.

The Bears struck back quickly with an impressive win at No. 1 singles. No. 26 Peter Mouillon cruised to a, 6-2, 6-3, win over 83^rd-ranked Vaclav Kucera.

Cal pushed its lead to 3-1 with straight-set victories at No. 4 and 5 singles. The Sooners were not done however as they gained victories at No. 3 and 6 singles to even up the score at, 3-3.

The match came down to No. 2 singles and a pair of seniors. Cal's Tyler Browne took the first set, 6-4, but Velicka battled back to take the second set, 6-3. In the decisive third set, Velicka propelled the Sooners into the second round by defeating Browne, 6-3.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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