Oklahoma State University Athletics
Mendoza Receives First Big 12 Player Of the Week Honor
April 20, 2016 | Cowboy Tennis
IRVING, Texas – Oklahoma State's Jurence Mendoza became the fourth Cowboy this season to receive Big 12 Player of the Week honors, the league announced on Wednesday.
This is the sophomore's first time receiving the weekly honor and marks only the second time in conference history that four Pokes have been named player of the week in a season, with the last time being in 2004.
Mendoza helped make some history in the Cowboys' match against the Red Raiders last Friday as he set the tone with a 6-1 victory in doubles with partner Lucas Gerch. In singles, the Philippines native made an unbelievable comeback in the second set against Connor Curry to force a tiebreak that he eventually won, 7-2. In the third set, Mendoza rode the momentum he gained in the tiebreak and won six of seven games in the set to win his match and clinch OSU's first Big 12 win since 2014. The victory over No. 10 Texas Tech also marked just the second time in Greenwood Tennis Center history that the Pokes have beaten a top 10 opponent at home.
After his gutsy performance against Texas Tech, Mendoza played a big part in helping OSU gain an early 2-0 advantage over No. 37 Baylor. The sophomore and his doubles partner Gerch were the deciding match in doubles action as both teams split the first two matches on courts one and three. With the match tied at five, Mendoza/Gerch won the final two games in the match to propel the Cowboys to the doubles point and take a 1-0 edge heading into singles.
Mendoza continued his hot play on the weekend when he faced off with Baylor's Tyler Stayer and beat the Bear in straight-sets on court six, 6-1, 6-1, which helped the Pokes secure a 4-2 win over the Bears. With two-straight Big 12 victories, the Cowboys have now won multiple conference matches for the first time since 2009.
On Saturday, OSU concludes its regular season with Bedlam as No. 10 Oklahoma heads to the Greenwood Tennis Center to take on the Pokes at noon.
For more information and updates, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
This is the sophomore's first time receiving the weekly honor and marks only the second time in conference history that four Pokes have been named player of the week in a season, with the last time being in 2004.
Mendoza helped make some history in the Cowboys' match against the Red Raiders last Friday as he set the tone with a 6-1 victory in doubles with partner Lucas Gerch. In singles, the Philippines native made an unbelievable comeback in the second set against Connor Curry to force a tiebreak that he eventually won, 7-2. In the third set, Mendoza rode the momentum he gained in the tiebreak and won six of seven games in the set to win his match and clinch OSU's first Big 12 win since 2014. The victory over No. 10 Texas Tech also marked just the second time in Greenwood Tennis Center history that the Pokes have beaten a top 10 opponent at home.
After his gutsy performance against Texas Tech, Mendoza played a big part in helping OSU gain an early 2-0 advantage over No. 37 Baylor. The sophomore and his doubles partner Gerch were the deciding match in doubles action as both teams split the first two matches on courts one and three. With the match tied at five, Mendoza/Gerch won the final two games in the match to propel the Cowboys to the doubles point and take a 1-0 edge heading into singles.
Mendoza continued his hot play on the weekend when he faced off with Baylor's Tyler Stayer and beat the Bear in straight-sets on court six, 6-1, 6-1, which helped the Pokes secure a 4-2 win over the Bears. With two-straight Big 12 victories, the Cowboys have now won multiple conference matches for the first time since 2009.
On Saturday, OSU concludes its regular season with Bedlam as No. 10 Oklahoma heads to the Greenwood Tennis Center to take on the Pokes at noon.
For more information and updates, follow @CowboyTennis on Instagram and Twitter.
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