OU Picks Up Midweek Win Over UTSA

NORMAN – The No. 26 Oklahoma men's tennis team opened the week with a 4-3 win over UTSA Wednesday at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

OU gave up the doubles point, but picked up singles wins from Mark Mandlik, Welsh Hotard, Justin Schlageter and Mason Beiler to secure the match.

"We knew tonight was going to be a tough match. [UTSA has] a lot of good players and are well coached," said OU head coach Nick Corwell. "Our guys responded well after losing the doubles and really relaxed and settled into the match. I was proud how the guys went for their shots in the critical moments of the match."

The doubles point as the match came down to the final court after OU's Mandlik and Matt Rodriguez fell to Javier Gonzales and Garret Skelly, 6-4, on court three, then Alex Martinez and Nathan Han came away with a win as they took out UTSA's Sebastian Rodriguez and Joao Ceolin, 6-3 at the top spot.

Beiler and Max Stewart battled with Juri Reckow and Slava Gulin but came up short, 7-5.

Mandlik was the first Sooner off the court in singles as he made quick work of UTSA's Javier Gonzalez, 6-1, 6-2. Welsh Hotard stuck next as he took out Javier Rodriguez, 6-3, 6-4, at the No. 6 spot.

Justin Schlageter held on for a three set win over Slava Gulin on court five. The Sooner took the opening set 6-1 before Gulin fired back to take set two 6-3. Schlageter powered through the deciding frame 6-1.

Beiler clinched the victory for the Sooners as he outlasted Sebastian Rodriguez in a tiebreaker. Beiler won the first set 6-4, then came back from trailing 5-4 in the second to send the frame to a breaker. Beiler prevailed, 7-6 (5), to seal the victory for OU.

"It was really important for Welsh and Mark to win in straight sets and that really set the tone for the win tonight," Crowell said.
"Mason and Justin both came up clutch in their matches when it mattered most and went for their shots."

On court four, Han fell to Ceolin, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Martinez took UTSA's Reckow to a third set tiebreaker, but fell 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Up Next

The Sooners are set for two more matches this week, hosting No. 25 Oklahoma State on Friday at 5 p.m., followed by a neutral site contest with No. 31 Texas Tech on Sunday in Dallas.

Results

Singles

Juri Reckow (UTSA) def. Alex Martinez (OU) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5)
#69 Mason Beiler (OU) def. Sebastian Rodriguez (UTSA), 6-4, 7-6 (3)
Mark Mandlik (OU) def. Javier Gonalez (UTSA), 6-1, 6-2
Joao Ceolin (UTSA) def. Nathan Han (OU), 6-3, 7-6 (5)
Justin Schlageter (OU) def. Slava Gulin (UTSA), 6-1, 3-6, 6-1
Welsh Hotard (OU) def. Javier Rodriguez (UTSA), 6-3, 6-4

Doubles

Alex Martinez/Nathan Han (OU) def. Sebastian Rodriguez/Joao Ceolin (UTSA), 6-3
Juri Reckow/Slava Gulin (UTSA) def. Mason Beiler/Max Stewart (OU), 7-5
Javier Gonzales/Garret Skelly (UTSA) def. Mark Mandlik/Matt Rodriguez (OU), 6-4

Order of Finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (3,6,5,4,2,1)

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Results

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Players Mentioned

Mason Beiler

Nathan Han

Welsh Hotard

Mark Mandlik

Alex Martinez

Matt Rodriguez

Justin Schlageter

Max Stewart

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics