Men’s Tennis Opening at Home Versus #28 Oklahoma State Monday

Monday, January 18

Memphis, Tenn.

12:00 p.m.

University of Memphis

#28 Oklahoma State University

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Men’s Tennis Opening at Home Versus #28 Oklahoma State Monday

Jan 17, 2016 | Men's Tennis

Tigers open season against top-ranked competition at home.

By: Tammy DeGroff

MEMPHIS – The No. 45 ranked Memphis men's tennis team (0-0) has a high noon showdown scheduled with No. 28 ranked Oklahoma State (2-0) on Monday at The Racquet Club of Memphis. This is the second straight season Memphis will be facing the Cowboys, who lead the overall series, 5-1. This is, however, OSU's first trip to the Bluff City.

"This is an exciting match for us," Head Coach Paul Goebel said. "We have been training all fall with a really demanding schedule. We got back early to school and we're excited to get the season started. And to host Oklahoma State is big for us. They're very well-coached and Jay Udwadia has done an unbelievable job there. They've been in the top 25 and are one of the forces in the Big 12, which is one of the best conferences in the nation. So to have them coming to our place just a season after hosting Baylor, who was in the top five last year, is a big deal."

Last year, OSU won the matchup with the Tigers, 4-2. The Cowboys took the doubles point with wins at 1 and 2 before then-freshman Ryan Peniston won his match at No. 3 singles over then-No. 122 ranked Arjun Kadhe to make it 2-1. Now-graduated Connor Glennon added Memphis' other point last season at No. 1. Both teams have lost their No. 1 singles player from last season, but OSU replaced the top of their singles lineup with Mississippi State transfer Julian Cash, an All-American now in his first season at OSU.

"We're still a young team," Goebel said. "But our young players got a lot of experience last year, so it'll be exciting to see what the year of experience does for them. We've experimented with some doubles lineups and I think our experience in doubles is really going to help us this year. I think we're ready. We'll see how everyone gels together, but I'm excited to get going."

Memphis, with no seniors on the roster, is coming off a solid spring tournament at Florida Gulf Coast to start the fall. Andrew Watson and Ryan Peniston each picked up singles win over ranked opponents and the doubles team of Louis Asser and Kai Lemke also picked up a ranked win last weekend.

Peniston leads Memphis so far this season with a 13-4 mark in singles. Lemke is also in double digit wins in singles this year with an 11-4 mark, while Watson is 10-3.

The match will begin with doubles play at noon. Following a five-minute intermission after doubles, singles play will begin indoors at The Racquet Club of Memphis. Admission for all Memphis tennis matches is free. Free pizza and drinks will be available as well for the noon match.

Live scoring will be available at www.memphis.statbroadcast.com.