Cowboy Tennis Set for Doubleheader Season Opener

Saturday, January 17

Stillwater, Okla.

1 p.m.

Oklahoma State University

Saint Joseph's

January 16, 2026 | Cowboy Tennis

Match Notes | SJU & UTRGV

Oklahoma State Cowboys
(0-0, 0-0 Big 12) | Head Coach: Dustin Taylor (Fifth Season)
vs.
Saint Joseph's Hawks | 1 p.m. CT
(0-2, 0-0 Atlantic 10) | Head Coach: Jeff Puhan (Third Season)
&
UT Rio Grande Valley | 5 p.m. CT
(0-2, 0-0 Southland) | Head Coach: Nathan Robinson (Fifth Season)

Game 1 & 2 | Jan. 17, 2026
Venue: Greenwood Tennis Center
Stream:

Saint Joseph's: https://okla.st/vsSaintJosephs
UTRGV: https://okla.st/vsUTRGV

Stats: statbroadcast.com
Social Media: @CowboyTennis

The Basics
Oklahoma State's men's tennis team will open the regular season with a pair of matchups against Saint Joseph's and UT Rio Grande Valley at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, respectively. Both matches will be hosted at the Greenwood Tennis Center. The Pokes and Hawks have never met before, while OSU holds a 10-4 series lead over UTRGV. OSU hasn't dropped a match to the Vaqueros since 1979. Senior Alessio Basile picked up a singles and doubles win the last time the Cowboys matched up with UTRGV in a 6-1 victory.

What to Watch for
Oklahoma State men's tennis is a team on the rise and they will look to prove that with Saturday's start to the 2026 season. Head Coach Dustin Taylor brings a squad full of youthful energy represented across the globe. From Australia to Tulsa, the Cowboys have the junior experience to win now, while keeping the youth needed for the program to grow. Senior Alessio Basile headlines the group of returning Cowboys. Basile has been with the Cowboys for the entirety of the Taylor era and will become his first four-year player. The Belgium-native comes back to Stillwater with professional experience, taking on his first ATP event this fall in his home country.

In The Rankings
As of January 7, the Cowboys checked in at No. 6 in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll. Newcomer Charlie Valentine is the sole Cowboy featured in the ITA rankings, coming in at No. 92 in the post- NCAA Individual Tournament poll.

Series History
Oklahoma State and Saint Joseph's have never met in their program's histories.

The Cowboys meet UT Rio Grande Valley for the 15th time in program history, with OSU leading the series 10-4. The Vaqueros have been a consistent opponent for the Pokes; they are playing for the sixth time since 2022. The last win for UTRGV came in 1978.

Streaks & Trends
·      OSU has won 11 of the last 12 season openers
·      The Pokes have started 2-0 seven of the last eight seasons

A Pair of Oklahoma State Wins Would…
·      Improve its record to 2-0
·      Give it its eighth 2-0 start in the last nine seasons
·      Give it its 126th and 127th win at the Greenwood Tennis Center
·      Make it 5-0 in the Taylor era in home openers
·      Make it 1-0 against Saint Joseph's
·      Make it 11-4 against UTRGV
·      Give it 11-straight wins against the Vaqueros