Completed Event: Men's Tennis versus Alabama on March 22, 2026 , Win , 4, to, 0


January 06, 2015 | Men's Tennis
We understand that we need to work hard and stay focused. Just because we start the year No. 2, nothing will be given to us.
Oklahoma Head Coach John Roddick
NORMAN, Okla. - Fresh off a NCAA national runner-up finish in 2014 and a strong fall showing, the University of Oklahoma men's tennis team debuts at No. 2 in the ITA's first rankings of the 2015 season. This marks the highest initial ranking in program history.
“I know our guys will be excited about starting the year at No. 2,” Sooner head coach John Roddick said. “At the same time we all realize that preseason rankings mean nothing. We understand that we need to work hard and stay focused. Just because we start the year No. 2, nothing will be given to us.”
The 2015 OU squad features four players ranked in the top-50. Junior Axel Alvarez is the highest ranked Sooner at No. 14, sophomore Andrew Harris comes in at No. 20, senior Dane Webb makes the list at No. 33 and sophomore Alex Ghilea sits at No. 50. The Sooner duo of Alvarez and Webb also made the ITA doubles rankings at No. 38.
The already loaded Sooners will also be joined by the nation's No. 1 recruit, Spencer Papa. The Edmond, Okla. native has been ranked as high No. 15 in the world in the ITF junior ranks and is largely considered the top American junior player.
The 2015 spring schedule is loaded with marquee matchups for the Sooners. Oklahoma will play matches with Virginia (No. 3), North Carolina (T-6), Texas A&M (No. 10), Wake Forest (No. 20) and a rematch of last year's win over then-No. 1 ranked Ohio State (No. 5).
Competition remains stiff as the Sooners head into conference play. As coach Roddick and the Sooners look to claim their fourth-straight Big 12 title, they will have to navigate a conference that features five schools in the top-50 with Baylor (No. 6), Texas (No. 9) and Oklahoma State (No. 25) all landing in the top-25.
The defending NCAA champion USC Trojans sit atop the initial poll. The Sooners fell to the Trojans in the championship match of the NCAA Tournament last season.
The Sooners kick of the 2015 season at the MLK Invitational, Jan. 17-19 in Atlanta, Ga. The first home match of the season will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. at the Headington Family Tennis Center against the Shockers of Wichita State.
For complete ITA rankings click here.
For more information on OU Men's Tennis, follow the team on Twitter at @OU_MTennis.