Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Picked To Finish Third In Big 12 Preseason Poll
January 11, 2017 | Cowboy Tennis
IRVING, Texas – The Oklahoma State men's tennis team was picked to finish in third place in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced today. This marks the second straight year the Cowboys have been selected to finish third in the preseason poll and is the highest such mark for OSU during head coach Jay Udwadia's tenure.
The Cowboys return seven upperclassmen this season, including their entire lineup from last year's squad that advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. Included in the group of returners is the All-American doubles duo of Julian Cash and Arjun Kadhe, who enter the season at the nation's No. 5-ranked tandem after winning an OSU-record 34 matches together last season.
Lukas Finzelberg is also back for his senior campaign this season. The German international knocked off nine opponents, four of whom were ranked, during the fall slate and is currently OSU's highest-ranked singles competitor as he currently holds the No. 30 spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings.
Oklahoma State's roster also features freshman Mathieu Scaglia, who holds a 12.85 Universal Tennis Rating. Scaglia impressed during his first collegiate action in the fall, winning five singles matches, including a three-match sweep of his competition at the Silverado Invitational in September.
Udwadia is entering his fifth season at the helm having amassed 71 wins during his tenure thus far. Udwadia's 71 victories in Stillwater rank as the third most in team history, trailing only OSU coaching greats James Wadley and Myron Roderick.
TCU and Texas both received 23 votes to earn the top spots in the poll while the Cowboys and rival Oklahoma both tied for third place with 14 votes apiece. The Big 12 figures to continue to be one of the nation's most competitive conferences as all six members are ranked inside the top-25. The only other league with six teams currently ranked by the ITA is the Southeastern Conference.
Oklahoma State is set to begin its spring season with a doubleheader on January 21 against Texas Rio Grande Valley and Oral Roberts. Next Saturday's action will mark the fourth time that the Cowboys have opened their season with a doubleheader during head coach Jay Udwadia's tenure.
Big 12 Preseason Poll Results
T1. TCU - 23
T2. Texas - 23
T3. Oklahoma State - 14
T3. Oklahoma - 14
5. Baylor - 10
6. Texas Tech - 6
The Cowboys return seven upperclassmen this season, including their entire lineup from last year's squad that advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008. Included in the group of returners is the All-American doubles duo of Julian Cash and Arjun Kadhe, who enter the season at the nation's No. 5-ranked tandem after winning an OSU-record 34 matches together last season.
Lukas Finzelberg is also back for his senior campaign this season. The German international knocked off nine opponents, four of whom were ranked, during the fall slate and is currently OSU's highest-ranked singles competitor as he currently holds the No. 30 spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association singles rankings.
Oklahoma State's roster also features freshman Mathieu Scaglia, who holds a 12.85 Universal Tennis Rating. Scaglia impressed during his first collegiate action in the fall, winning five singles matches, including a three-match sweep of his competition at the Silverado Invitational in September.
Udwadia is entering his fifth season at the helm having amassed 71 wins during his tenure thus far. Udwadia's 71 victories in Stillwater rank as the third most in team history, trailing only OSU coaching greats James Wadley and Myron Roderick.
TCU and Texas both received 23 votes to earn the top spots in the poll while the Cowboys and rival Oklahoma both tied for third place with 14 votes apiece. The Big 12 figures to continue to be one of the nation's most competitive conferences as all six members are ranked inside the top-25. The only other league with six teams currently ranked by the ITA is the Southeastern Conference.
Oklahoma State is set to begin its spring season with a doubleheader on January 21 against Texas Rio Grande Valley and Oral Roberts. Next Saturday's action will mark the fourth time that the Cowboys have opened their season with a doubleheader during head coach Jay Udwadia's tenure.
Big 12 Preseason Poll Results
T1. TCU - 23
T2. Texas - 23
T3. Oklahoma State - 14
T3. Oklahoma - 14
5. Baylor - 10
6. Texas Tech - 6
Players Mentioned
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