I was worried about this year but our guys are playing great. Thanks for the updates. Unfortunately we won’t be back at home for a few weeks but we need folks out there. Good times.Here are the individual records on the season, with records from this weekend in ()...
#1D - Rybakov/Gray: 5-4 (0-2)
#2D - Stalder/Kruger: 8-3 (2-1)
#3D - Fomba/Jong: 3-6 (1-1)
#1S - Rybakov: 7-1 (1-0)
#2S - Gray: 8-1 (1-1)
#3S - Stalder: 6-4 (1-1)
#4S - Kruger: 9-2 (3-0, all straight sets)
#5S - Fomba: 9-1 (2-1)
#6S - Jong: 2-3 (2-0)
We've really struggled in doubles. We were blown off the court by UNC, which ended up costing us the match. I wouldn't be surprised if #1 and #2 get switched. Fomba and Jong are both freshmen and should improve as we go.
In singles, Rybo is a rock at #1. He came back to beat Will Blumberg from UNC after dropping the first set on Saturday. Blumberg finished as the national runner-up as a freshman two years ago and is certainly on the short list of favorites for this year. The real surprises have been Kruger, who did show signs toward the end of last season before getting hurt, and Fomba, who's been a revelation. A lot of freshmen struggle to get used to the college game, so we should cut Jong some slack for his slow start. But he had a great tournament in Chicago, so maybe he is rounding the corner.
Overall, we looked as good as anyone outside of Ohio State or Wake Forest this weekend (they will play tomorrow in the final). OSU looks like an absolute machine, and they have to be the early favorite to finally go all the way this year. But there's certainly nobody in the Big 12 we can't beat. To me, we're co-favorites with UT, and we get them in FW this year.
With the season winding down, it seems like it's high time to revisit the tennis thread. Recent results have been uneven at best.
- Two weeks ago the team opened conference play in Waco. Baylor's been playing very well since Indoors in February, losing only to #1 UT in Austin by a 4-3 score. TCU really needed to win doubles to have a chance in this one and couldn't get it done. Rybakov and Stalder - the two seniors - won their matches but the team dropped a 5-2 decision.
- Last Friday was the matchup with UT in FW. The fact that it was at home gave me some hope, and after winning the doubles point things looked very promising. From there it was a disaster as UT won all the singles matches to take it 6-1. Four of those went to 3 sets, but we really didn't look like we belonged.
- After that disappointment we faced #8 A&M at home. We have now faced them 6 times in the past 5 years and we've won all of them. The last four have been by 4-3 scores, including this one. Rybakov was the deciding match, which gave me a bit of deja vu. Check the video below from two years ago to see an epic racket smash from the Ags after Rybakov clinched. This year the opposition was more subdued, but it's always satisfying to beat the Aggies.
That sets up the final two matches in Oklahoma against OU today and OSU on Sunday, then it's the conference tourney next week and then on to nationals. The team has had a decent season. I would say they raised my hopes after their performance at the Indoor Championships in February, but they've come back to earth a bit in the outdoor season. They have enough to scare any team in the country, but I just don't think they can beat them consistently. And I honestly don't think anyone can beat Ohio State when they're at full strength. Their #1 player has been just as dominant as Norrie was in his final year. The only times they've lost have been when he's off playing pro tournaments.
Yup 4-2Did the men just lose to Okie Lite? Got an alert but it disappeared.
Not looking good for the two seniors at 1 and 3, but Jong on court 6 is up a break as he looks to even things