Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Tennis Set to Open 2013 Season
January 16, 2013 | Cowboy Tennis
Jan. 16, 2013
STILLWATER, Okla. -
The Oklahoma State men's tennis team begins its 2013 season on Saturday when it faces off against the 19th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers at 10 a.m. in Knoxville, Tenn. The Cowboys are 2-4 all-time against Tennessee after winning the teams' previous two matches in 1989 and 2001.
Following Saturday's match, the Cowboys will face Tennessee Tech at 6 p.m. The team will wrap up play in Knoxville on Sunday afternoon after a dual with East Tennessee State. Oklahoma State has never competed against Tennessee Tech or ETSU.
Opening Test
Oklahoma State will face a tough challenge in the 19th-ranked Volunteers, who are coming off of a 15-14 season and a trip to the NCAA regionals. The squad is highlighted by two players ranked in the top 40 of the most recent ITA Rankings, with Mikelis Libietis at No. 9 and Hunter Reese at No. 40. Tennessee opens its 2013 season Jan. 17 against Tennessee Tech, followed by the team's matchup with the Cowboys.
All About the Cowboys
The Cowboys embark on their first season under new head coach Jay Udwadia, who replaced former coach James Wadley after a 40-year reign. Udwadia joins the Cowboys with a 145-76 career record during successful runs at Drake University and Fresno State.
Returning from the 2012 squad are juniors Rifat Biktyakov and Brandon Champagne, sophomore Chris Haworth and senior Trevor Horstmann. Richard Del Nunzio, a five-star recruit out of New York City, is the lone addition to a Cowboys team that lost five members from the 2012 group.
Reversing a Trend
Oklahoma State, coming off a 7-14 year, will look to earn the team's first winning season since 2009. The squad finished off its fall season with a combined individual singles record of 17-19, highlighted by Biktyakov's championship run at the Larry Easley Memorial Classic.
