Cowboy Tennis Prepares for Road Test Against SMU

Match Notes

The Basics

Oklahoma State's men's tennis team (7-6 overall; 0-0 Big 12) is headed to the Lone Star State to continue its non-conference slate against No. 39 SMU (8-3; 0-0). The action will begin Friday, March 11 at 5 p.m. (CST) when the Mustangs host the Cowboys in Dallas, Texas.

Following the Action

Live stats can also be viewed at https://okla.st/3sWzxIn. For season-long coverage of Oklahoma State Men's tennis, visit okstate.com and follow @CowboyTennis on Twitter and Instagram.

In the Rankings

Oklahoma State is not ranked in the ITA Division I rankings. Tyler Zink and Seb Nothhaft checked in as the 70th-ranked doubles duo in the nation for the first time this season.

Series History

Oklahoma State holds a 10-5 all-time record against SMU. The last meeting between the two programs took place during the 2018 season, where the Cowboys swept the Mustangs, 4-0.

Oklahoma State From A Distance

OSU is fresh off an action-packed weekend in the Greenwood Tennis Center. After an impressive 6-1 route to Nebraska-Omaha, the Cowboys had a quick turnaround to face off with No. 15 Middle Tennessee State. Although the Blue Raiders bested the Cowboys, 6-1, OSU put on an impressive showing. Notably, Oklahoma State's doubles duo of Tyler Zink and Seb Nothhaft notched a top-25 takedown of No. 23 Francisco Rocha and Oskar Brostrom. The matchup was a down-to-the wire battle, where five of the six courts pushed to a third set.

The remainder of OSU's spring slate is filled with a competitive schedule full of opportunities for the new class of Cowboys. OSU began a new chapter in 2021-22 with nine new faces and one veteran that fill the roster. Luke Hammond highlights the new season as the only returner from the 2020-21 season. Hammond leads a class of three freshmen, two sophomores and four juniors. Notably, six of the new faces first-year head coach Dustin Taylor recruited are transfers from Power Five schools.

The biggest storyline has been Tyler Zink who earned a main draw wild card at the U.S. Open. The two-time All-American finished the 2021 season with a final ITA ranking of No. 8 in doubles at the University of Georgia. Zink also had a run in the ITA All-American Championships as well as individual tournaments throughout his fall campaign. The junior also found himself ranked among the nation's best by the ITA Preseason ranking at No. 30.

Accompanied by Taylor is assistant coach Dane Webb. During his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma, Webb was a three-time All-American, and the most decorated Sooner in the program with a total of 212 during his run. The tandem holds skill that will lead the program to navigate a successful spring.

Streak and Trends

- OSU is 10-5 against SMU and OSU has won the seven of the last 10 meetings dating back to the 2007 season.

- The Cowboys have won the doubles point in the last nine consecutive matches.

An Oklahoma State Win Would...

- Improve OSU's all-time record to 11-5 against SMU.

- Give OSU its first road win during the 2021-22 season.

- Give head coach Dustin Taylor his eighth win for his first season at OSU.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Luke Hammond

Tyler Zink

Oklahoma State University Athletics