Papa Named Big 12 Player of the Week

NORMAN – Oklahoma men's tennis sophomore Spencer Papa was tabbed Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference announced Thursday. It marks the first such honor for Papa and the second of the year for the Sooners.

"Spencer has really been improving lately and it's good to see his hard work recognized," head coach John Roddick said.

Picking up five combined victories in singles and doubles last week, Papa helped lead OU to three wins during the week, two of which came against ranked opponents on the road.

On Tuesday against Wichita State, Papa turned in a pair of victories. He joined with teammate Alex Ghilea to grab a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles to help OU secure the opening point. In singles, Papa made quick work of opponent Jocelyn Devilliers at the two spot. He gave up only three games in winning 6-3, 6-0. OU went on to shut out the Shockers, 4-0.

Oklahoma then hit the road for a pair of ranked matches in Florida. Papa, who grew up in the Sunshine State, was certainly comfortable in his old stomping grounds. Against No. 17 South Florida Papa knocked off No. 31 Dominic Cotrone at No. 2 singles. Papa won easily, 6-3, 6-4 to help OU overcome a doubles-point loss and win 4-1.

It was yet another pair of ranked wins for Papa just two days later against No. 22 Florida State. In doubles Papa and Ghilea controlled their match at the two spot, winning 6-2 over FSU's 59th-ranked duo. In singles, Papa dropped the first set of his match with No. 60 Marco Nunez, but rallied to win the match in a third set. The win helped OU finish a sweep of the Seminoles and pushed Papa's active win streak in singles to four matches.

Papa's award is the second this year for OU. Axel Alvarez was named Big 12 Player of the Week on Feb. 24 after the Sooners' home win over Tulsa.

The Sooners are back in action this weekend as they head to Texas to begin Big 12 play. OU takes on No. 2 TCU on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Fort Worth before heading further south to play No. 17 Texas on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Austin.

Players Mentioned

Alex Ghilea

Spencer Papa

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics