Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Projected To Finish Third In Big 12 Preseason Poll
March 29, 2016 | Cowboy Tennis
IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma State's men's tennis squad was selected to finish third this upcoming conference season in the Big 12 Preseason Poll, which was released on Tuesday by the league office.
This marks the highest spot the Cowboys have ever been voted in the Big 12 Preseason Poll since head coach Jay Udwadia took over the OSU men's tennis program in 2012. Previously, the Pokes reached as high as No. 4 in the 2014 Big 12 Preseason Poll.
The poll is derived of votes from each coach in the conference and the Cowboys finished in a tie for third with Texas Tech, receiving 17 total votes. Only one vote separates both OSU and Texas Tech from the second place spot as Oklahoma received 18 votes.
On the season, the Cowboys have compiled 16 wins, which is second-most in the conference behind Texas Tech with 21. OSU has 10 wins over ranked opponents already this season, including victories over No. 6 Wake Forest, No. 16 California and No. 17 South Florida.
Three Cowboys hold spots in the Oracle/ITA singles rankings with All-American Julian Cash being in the top 50 at No. 48. Two-time All-American Arjun Kadhe currently sits at No. 121 in the poll, while Temur Ismailov enters the rankings for the second time this year at No. 118.
Two OSU duos are featured in the doubles rankings with tandem Kadhe/Cash highlighting the poll for the Pokes at No. 9. The All-American duo has built up a strong résumé heading into conference play by winning the ITA All-American Championships back draw title and the 127th Pacific Coast Doubles Championship just two weeks ago. Kadhe/Cash have compiled 30 doubles victories this season, which has helped them stay inside the top 10 of the doubles poll for 12-straight weeks.
The other Cowboy duo in the doubles rankings is Temur Ismailov/Lucas Gerch at No. 71. Gerch/Ismailov have a 12-3 record on the season and made it to the round of 16 at the Pacific Coast Doubles Championship.
In the last five seasons, OSU's best finish in conference play was a tie for fourth in 2014 with TCU and Texas Tech.
After a matchup with in-state rival No. 24 Tulsa on Friday, the Cowboys will open up conference play on the road as they get set to battle Texas on April 8 and TCU on April 10.
For more information and updates on the Pokes, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
Big 12 Preseason Poll
(Pos.) Team (1st Place Votes) (# of votes)
1 TCU (4) 24
2 Oklahoma (1) 18
T3 Oklahoma State 17
T3 Texas Tech (1) 17
5 Texas 9
6 Baylor 5
This marks the highest spot the Cowboys have ever been voted in the Big 12 Preseason Poll since head coach Jay Udwadia took over the OSU men's tennis program in 2012. Previously, the Pokes reached as high as No. 4 in the 2014 Big 12 Preseason Poll.
The poll is derived of votes from each coach in the conference and the Cowboys finished in a tie for third with Texas Tech, receiving 17 total votes. Only one vote separates both OSU and Texas Tech from the second place spot as Oklahoma received 18 votes.
On the season, the Cowboys have compiled 16 wins, which is second-most in the conference behind Texas Tech with 21. OSU has 10 wins over ranked opponents already this season, including victories over No. 6 Wake Forest, No. 16 California and No. 17 South Florida.
Three Cowboys hold spots in the Oracle/ITA singles rankings with All-American Julian Cash being in the top 50 at No. 48. Two-time All-American Arjun Kadhe currently sits at No. 121 in the poll, while Temur Ismailov enters the rankings for the second time this year at No. 118.
Two OSU duos are featured in the doubles rankings with tandem Kadhe/Cash highlighting the poll for the Pokes at No. 9. The All-American duo has built up a strong résumé heading into conference play by winning the ITA All-American Championships back draw title and the 127th Pacific Coast Doubles Championship just two weeks ago. Kadhe/Cash have compiled 30 doubles victories this season, which has helped them stay inside the top 10 of the doubles poll for 12-straight weeks.
The other Cowboy duo in the doubles rankings is Temur Ismailov/Lucas Gerch at No. 71. Gerch/Ismailov have a 12-3 record on the season and made it to the round of 16 at the Pacific Coast Doubles Championship.
In the last five seasons, OSU's best finish in conference play was a tie for fourth in 2014 with TCU and Texas Tech.
After a matchup with in-state rival No. 24 Tulsa on Friday, the Cowboys will open up conference play on the road as they get set to battle Texas on April 8 and TCU on April 10.
For more information and updates on the Pokes, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
Big 12 Preseason Poll
(Pos.) Team (1st Place Votes) (# of votes)
1 TCU (4) 24
2 Oklahoma (1) 18
T3 Oklahoma State 17
T3 Texas Tech (1) 17
5 Texas 9
6 Baylor 5
Players Mentioned
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