Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Alabama
Cowboy Tennis Rolls Over Alabama, 4-1
February 07, 2015 | Cowboy Tennis
STILLWATER - No. 31 Oklahoma State men's tennis defeated No. 45 Alabama handily, 4-1, at the Greenwood Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.
"We knew Alabama had a very talented team so we needed to be on top of our game," coach Jay Udwadia said. "We were fortunate to come out with a victory. The guys battled well today. It's a great weekend to host two SEC teams, and tomorrow we have to come out and finish strong."
The Cowboys stole the doubles point, which came down to action on court two. At the No. 3-spot, Lucas Gerch and Nicolai Ferrigno quickly downed Bama's Kerznerman/Goodwin duo, 6-0.
On court one, the 12th-ranked tandem of Jakob Sude and Arjun Kadhe traded games with the Lovett/O'Shaughnessey team for most of the match as it was brought to a 6-6 tie. In the tiebreaker, the Cowboys went down 4-1 and battled back, but it was not enough as the All-American duo fell, 7-6(4).
Sealing the doubles point for the Cowboys was Lukas Finzelberg and Jurence Mendoza, who saved match point to tie the bout, 5-5. The pair of Pokes won the next two games, handing Alabama's Donahue and Kenyon a 7-5 loss.
"In doubles, I tried to not worry and just wanted to enjoy the competition," Mendoza said. "I worked with my partner (Lukas) Finzelberg, and we pumped each other up throughout the match. I'm very pleased with the win. I think it gave me some confidence in my doubles game."
Mendoza continued with the momentum into singles as he earned a shutout over Andrew Goodwin on court six, 6-0, 6-0.
Alabama snatched a team point with a win on court four, but that was the only point the Pokes surrendered on the day.
Sophomore and 74th-ranked Kadhe took down Korey Lovett in the first set. In the second set, the Cowboy was forced to overcome an early 3-1 deficit, and he went on to defeat Lovett, 6-1, 7-5.
"It's great to be back 100 percent today," Kadhe said. "I felt like I hit well today. Everyone started really well in singles also. For me, winning the first set was really important, and my opponent fought back in the second set. I played well on the deuce points in the second set and I think that made all the difference."
Lucas Gerch, a sophomore for the Cowboys, remains undefeated on the season, defeating Stuart Kenyon 6-1, 7-6(4), to clinch the match on court three. After an easy win in the first set for the Cowboy, the two tied the second set at 6-6. Gerch went on to best Bama's Kenyon in the tiebreaker, 7-4.
On court one, No. 98 Sude lost the first set, but forced the match to a third set, where he broke back to tie the set, 2-2, when play was ended.
Ferrigno's match was also stopped early on court five.
The Cowboys return to action tomorrow as they take on No. 56 Arkansas at 1 p.m. at the Greenwood Tennis Center.
No. 31 Oklahoma State 4, No. 45 Alabama 1
Feb. 6, 2015 :: Stillwater, Okla. (Greenwood Tennis Center)
Doubles | Order of finish: 3, 1, 2
1. Korey Lovett/B. O'Shaughnessey (UA) def. #12 Jakob Sude/Arjun Kadhe (OKST) 7-6 (4)
2. Lukas Finzelberg/Jurence Mendoza (OKST) def. Sean Donohue/Stuart Kenyon (UA) 7-5
3. Nicolai Ferrigno/Lucas Gerch (OKST) def. Danny Kerznerman/Andrew Goodwin (UA) 6-0
Singles | Order of finish: 6, 4, 2, 3*
1. #98 Jakob Sude (OKST) vs. B. O'Shaughnessey (UA), 3-6, 6-2, 2-2 unf
2. #74 Arjun Kadhe (OKST) def. Korey Lovett (UA), 6-1, 7-5
3. Lucas Gerch (OKST) def. Stuart Kenyon (UA), 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Danny Kerznerman (UA) def. Lukas Finzelberg (OKST), 6-0, 6-0
5. Nicolai Ferrigno (OKST) vs. Nikko Madregallejo (UA),6-7, 2-2 unf
6. Jurence Mendoza (OKST) def. Andrew Goodwin (UA), 6-0, 6-0
Players Mentioned
