Oklahoma beat the No. 29 Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-8) 4-1 Sunday, extending their record to 22-2 on the season and capturing at least a share of the Big 12 Championship.
Coach John Roddick was very pleased with his team’s play, both today and this entire year.
“This is four years in a row we have had at least a share of the Big 12 Championship,” Roddick said. “For our seniors that’s something that’s very special, especially because we had to battle back after losing to Tech. So far we are two for two on goals, but we still have some more to go.”
With Bedlam off to a quick 1-0 Cowboy lead, the Sooners needed to quickly regroup if they wanted to take the dual.
About one set into the matches, lightning in the area pushed the teams inside for approximately 35 minutes before resuming play.
The first singles match to finish was on court 2 where sophomore Andrew Harris breezed to an emphatic 6-3, 6-1, straight-set victory. Harris tied the match at 1 a piece.
Next, on court 3, the lone active senior, Dane Webb, came up big for his team on senior day, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Webb was uncharacteristically quiet after his win. Webb’s clutch play gave OU the lead at 2-1.
Sophomore Alex Ghilea extended the Sooner lead, 3-1, one point away from clinching, with his 6-3, 6-4 win on court 4. At this point, the Sooners just needed one of the remaining three matches to take Bedlam.
The Sooners clinched on court 5, where freshman Spencer Papa won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, giving OU the lead and dual, 4-1. Papa may have been short on words but not on importance to his team’s success.
“I didn’t even know I was about to clinch,” Papa said. “I was so focused on my court, but I am excited, and it’s not over yet.”
Speaking on what it meant for a freshman like Papa to clinch the Big 12 championship for his team, Roddick said, “that’s why he is here, to help us win championships.”
“He has been learning to be a better tennis player, and I was proud of his effort and how he closed it out,” he said.
No. 1 junior Axel Alvarez did not get to finish his match, but was in control in the third set, 3-2, after splitting the first two sets, 2-6, 6-2. Alvarez remains undefeated on the year at 19-0.
In addition, sophomore Florin Bragusi did not finish on court 6. Bragusi won his first set in a tiebreak, 7-6, and was leading the second set 4-1 when OU clinched.
Roddick wants to see his team continue to work and keep improving.
“It all stays the same so we are going to keep working hard,” Roddick said. “We know we have stuff to work on, but I think we can have a jump in our level if we have another good week.”
Next, the Sooners will compete Thursday, April 23 in Waco for the Big 12 Championships.
