Sooners Open Season Against North Texas

No. 24 Oklahoma vs. North Texas

Jan. 20, 1 p.m. | Headington Family Tennis Center | Norman, Okla.

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma women's tennis team kicks off spring play Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Gregg Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion at the Headington Family Tennis Center against the North Texas Mean Green at 1 p.m.

The Sooners start the season ranked No. 24, the highest ITA preseason ranking in school history, after a banner year in 2014.

The Mean Green have become a familiar foe during Sooner head coach Dave Mullins' tenure at Oklahoma. This season marks the second in a row in which the Sooners have opened against North Texas. Last year's match resulted in a 7-0 Oklahoma victory. The programs have faced off three times in the last five years, with Oklahoma winning each time.

“We do not have the luxury of easing our way into our dual match schedule as North Texas poses a very difficult first hurdle, but we are more than prepared for the challenge,” said Mullins.

Last season, the Sooners reached new heights under Mullins finishing with a No. 18 ranking. Oklahoma also reached the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second time in four years and just the third time in program history.

“This is a very young team with a lot of talent that will definitely build upon what was accomplished by last year's squad,” said Mullins. “We will have almost everyone back next year so this is the first step of a long journey for the core of the group.”

After graduating four seniors that took a lot of experience with them, Mullins added an infusion of youth to this year's roster. Five freshmen join the squad as part of a recruiting class ranked No. 24 by tennisrecruiting.net.

The Sooners return lone senior, Abbi Melrose, finished fall tournament play at 11-5 and showed determination and will during long matches.

“Abbi has been a wonderful captain for us this year,” said Mullins. “I could not be more fortunate to have her help as we guide this young team through spring play and into Big 12 play.”

After Tuesday, the Sooners will not play a home match in Norman until hosting Wichita State and Tulsa Feb. 14- 15. The next five matches will be played on the road or at neutral sites.

Up Next

The Sooners travel to Fayetteville, Ark., the weekend of Jan. 24-25 to participate in three dual matches. Opponents include UC Santa Barbara, Southern Illinois, and host Arkansas.