Oklahoma State University Athletics
Second Serve: Cowboy Tennis Qualifies For National Indoors
January 30, 2017 | Cowboy Tennis
.@CowboyTennis is the first team to claim a spot at #ITAIndoors ???? See you in Charlottesville! #ITAKickOff https://t.co/jlivYsfZK3
— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) January 28, 2017
This will be the first time that the Cowboys have competed at the event since 2008. OSU, seeded 13th that year, knocked off fourth-seeded Baylor, 4-2, in the opening round of play despite dropping the doubles point to the Bears.
The Cowboys overcame the early deficit thanks to victories from Oleksandr Nedovyesov at the No. 1 position and Ivan Puchkarov, who dropped 10th-ranked Denes Lucas in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Oklahoma State sealed the win on court five, as Anton Bobytskyi knocked off Jordan Rux in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5.
"It's a great day to be a Cowboy!" - head coach Jay Udwadia after #okstate secured its first trip to #ITAIndoors since 2008! pic.twitter.com/SpfCtqfIMx
— OSU Cowboy Tennis (@CowboyTennis) January 28, 2017
The current crop of Cowboys, looking to secure their spot in next month's field, had to go through No. 22 Columbia in their first matchup of the weekend.
OSU was able to snag the doubles point from the Lions with wins on courts one and two to claim the doubles point - something that has become a fixture for the squad during head coach Jay Udwadia's time in charge. Arjun Kadhe's win with partner Julilan Cash saw Kadhe become just the third player in team history to win 80 doubles matches. Kadhe is tied with Price for second place on the all-time list and needs just 12 wins to match Laster's record.
With a lightning-quick victory today, @ArjunKadhe became the third Cowboy in #okstate history to reach 80 doubles wins! pic.twitter.com/MAoDyOM5Oj
— OSU Cowboy Tennis (@CowboyTennis) January 28, 2017
Kadhe, Lucas Gerch and Jurence Mendoza were able to come out on top in their ensuing singles contests to secure the 4-1 win for OSU. That trio has been a force on the court for the Cowboys, as they have combined to go 11-0 during the dual season.
Final score from Stillwater. #okstate moves into tomorrow's #ITAKickoff championship after knocking off No. 22 Columbia, 4-1! pic.twitter.com/qj8rj4qTIS
— OSU Cowboy Tennis (@CowboyTennis) January 27, 2017
Saturday's ITA Kick-Off Weekend final was a top-15 showdown between the 13th-ranked Cowboys and No. 14 Kentucky. The matchup also saw the nation's two deepest conferences clash, as the Big 12 and Southeastern Conference are the only two conferences that have at least five teams currently ranked in the top-25 of the ITA team rankings.
OSU's conference-clash with Kentucky also happened to coincide with the Cowboy basketball team's showdown with Arkansas in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.
The SEC is already 0-1 in Stillwater today #Big12SECChallenge #OkState https://t.co/8VoZHO8wvm
— Jason Elmquist (@jelmquistSW) January 28, 2017
Much like the Cowboys on the hardwood, Oklahoma State was able to grab the lead from its SEC counterpart early on, as the squad recorded victories on courts two and three to claim the doubles point.
No. 2 | And just seconds later, Gerch and Mendoza win it on two, 6-4, as #okstate claims the doubles point! #ITAKickoff pic.twitter.com/hMNlMB3Owj
— OSU Cowboy Tennis (@CowboyTennis) January 28, 2017
The Cowboys have now captured the all-important point in all four of their dual matches this season. Saturday's success marked the 75th time that they have done so during head coach Jay Udwadia's time at the helm.
The shutout-win over Kentucky also marked the 75th win at Oklahoma State for Udwadia. His 75 wins rank as the third most in team history, trailing only OSU coaching legends James Wadley and Myron Roderick.
Today's win is the 75th for Coach Udwadia at Oklahoma State - the third most in team history! #okstate pic.twitter.com/54mGVkKmgB
— OSU Cowboy Tennis (@CowboyTennis) January 28, 2017
Next up for the Cowboys is their first road trip of the season, as Oklahoma State travels to the east coast to take on North Carolina State.
