Cowboy Tennis Comes Up Short to Oklahoma, 4-3

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma State's men's tennis team came up short in a tightly contested match tonight against No. 33 Oklahoma, 4-3, tonight at the Headington Family Tennis Center

With the loss, the Cowboys dipped to 10-7 on the year and 0-1 in Big 12 play. The squad also saw its three-match road winning streak come to an end during the matchup.

The Cowboys were on the right track after collecting their 13th consecutive doubles point of the season in the showing. Court three was first to finish in doubles play with Leighton Allen and Joseph Chen falling to Mason Beiler and Nathan Han, 6-2.

Next up, Alex Garcia and Max Verboven were able to pick up the momentum and erase the deficit for OSU, downing Mark Mandlik and Baptiste Anselmo in simple fashion, 6-3.

Oklahoma State's duo of Tyler Zink and Seb Nothhaft extended their undefeated doubles record to 5-0 after clinching the point for the Pokes. The pairing was able to combat an 3-0 deficit, winning four consecutive games to regain the lead. A back-and-forth battle ended with an OSU rout over No. 46 Alex Martinez and Welsh Hotard, 7-6(4).

Oklahoma was quick to separate themselves early in singles play and recorded three consecutive points for a quick advantage.

Court three consisted of a battle between Max Verboven and Mark Mandlik, but the Sooner was able to prevail in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to even play overall, 1-1. Leighton Allen went back and forth with Oklahoma's Jordan Hasson, but the Sooner ultimately snagged the point, 6-0, 6-4.

OU's Justin Schlageter was able to control the opening set against OSU's Joseph Chen on court six, 6-2. The Cowboy combatted a strong match in the second set, but couldn't follow through to fall, 7-5.

Tyler Zink highlighted the night in singles play, being the first Cowboy to claim a court in the action. The junior effortlessly dominated No. 60 Mason Beiler in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, to cut the overall deficit, 3-2.

Courts two and four alternated dominance throughout the night. Both courts were paused due to weather and resumed on the indoor courts.

Walking a tight line, Alex Garcia and Alex Martinez kept the contest close on court two. Martinez bested Garcia in the opening set, 6-3 Garcia impressively battled back to best the Sooner in the second, 7-5, to push into a third set. Garcia put on a show throughout the third, but fell short to Martinez, 6-4, to clinch the match for Oklahoma.

Although play was decided, court four played out. Seb Nothhaft took the court against Baptiste Anselmo and was able to collect another point for the Cowboys, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-2.

The Cowboys are back at home this Sunday when they play host to No. 32 Tulsa.

Singles Competition

1. Tyler Zink (VIS) def. #60 Mason Beiler (OU) 6-2, 6-4

2. Alex Martinez (OU) def. Alex Garcia (VIS) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4

3. #101 Mark Mandlik (OU) def. Maxim Verboven (VIS) 6-3, 6-4

4. Sebastian Nothhaft (VIS) def. Baptiste Anselmo (OU) 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-2

5. #125 Jordan Hasson (OU) def. Leighton Allen (VIS) 6-0, 6-4

6. Justin Schlageter (OU) def. Joseph Chen (VIS) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles Competition

1. #37 Tyler Zink/Sebastian Nothhaft (VIS) def. #46 Welsh Hotard/Alex Martinez (OU) 7-6 (7-4)

2. Alex Garcia/Maxim Verboven (VIS) def. Mark Mandlik/Baptiste Anselmo (OU) 6-3

3. Nathan Han/Mason Beiler (OU) def. Leighton Allen/Joseph Chen (VIS) 6-2

Match Notes:

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,5,6,1,2,4)

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Leighton Allen

Joseph Chen

Alex Garcia

Sebastian Nothhaft

Maxim Verboven

Tyler Zink

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