Memphis sweeps No. 14 Cowboys

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In its highest ranked win since 2013, the No. 45 Memphis men's tennis team swept No. 14 Oklahoma State on Sunday afternoon at the Racquet Club of Memphis.

The victory was also the Tigers' third-highest ranked win in program history and 12^th top-25 win since 2012.

"It means a lot," head coach Paul Goebel said of the victory. "Our seniors have shown some great leadership lately. We had a big win earlier in the week. We have a really close group, and they are kind of coming together even more. We're halfway through the season, and it looks like they are enjoying playing tennis more than they ever have. I'm excited for what is to come."

The Tigers (8-4, 2-0) took the opening doubles point with wins on courts 1 and 3. Ryan Peniston and Andrew Watson claimed their first ranked doubles win of the year with a 6-3 triumph at the top spot, while Jan Pallares and Matt Story turned in a 6-3 win at the No. 3 position.

In singles, the Tigers struck quickly by winning five first sets against the Cowboys (14-4, 0-0). Memphis turned in straight-set wins at the top two spots and at the No. 6 position to secure the 4-0 sweep.

"It's one of the few matches where I felt like we were in every single match," Goebel said. "We were controlling a lot of the matches. (Coaches) decided to stop when the first team got to 4, but it looked like today we might have been able to win a few more of the matches that were still going."

Watson was first off the court with a 6-1, 6-2 win against No. 95 Artur Dubinski. With the victory, the senior has won fourth consecutive singles matches and claimed two straight ranked wins.

"It's all about staying upbeat and keeping the guys fired up," Watson said. "There's a long way left in the season, but it's been great. I get to cherish the good moments so far. I'm looking forward to San Diego next week."

No. 63 Peniston followed with a win at the top spot against No. 78 Julian Cash to push the Tigers lead to 3-0. Fighting through a first-set tiebreak, Peniston swept the second set to turn in his fifth ranked singles win this season.

After taking the first set, Pallares earned a break late in the second set and then held serve for a 6-2, 7-5 match-clinching win.

Memphis will return to the road this week as the Tigers travel to San Diego, Calif., for the annual San Diego Invitational. Action in the round-robin tournament begins Thursday with the complete schedule and seedings to be announced early this week.

RESULTS

Singles
1. #63 Peniston (MEM) def. #78 Cash (OSU) 7-6(7-4), 6-0
2. Watson (MEM) def. #95 Dubinski (OSU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Lemke (MEM) vs. Meraut (OSU) 6-3, 4-5, unfinished
4. Patzanovsky (MEM) vs. Scaglia (OSU) 4-6, 1-4, unfinished
5. Rauch (MEM) vs. Mendoza (OSU) 7-6(7-0), unfinished
6. Pallares (MEM) def. Hammond (OSU) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
1. Watson/Peniston (MEM) def. #30 Cash/Hammond (OSU) 6-3
2. Lemke/Sullivan (MEM) vs. Dubinski/Mendoza (OSU) 3-5, unfinished
3. Story/Pallares (MEM) def. Draheim/Theodorou (OSU) 6-3

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Players Mentioned

Jan Pallares

Ryan Peniston

Matt Story

Andrew Watson

University of Memphis Athletics