April 12, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech men's tennis team was toppled today by the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 6-1. This was the final match for the Red Raiders in their regular season. No. 54 Texas Tech finished 5th in the Big 12 Conference with records of 13-7 for the season and 3-4 in Big 12 play.

Freshman Casper Steenkamp was the only Red Raider able to grasp a victory today as he thrashed Juan Felipe Diaz at the No. 6 spot, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. At the No. 1 position, senior Alfonso Perez was defeated by Mark Van Elden, 6-1, 6-4. At the No. 2 spot, sophomore Esat Tanik was overcome by Yevgen Bondarchuk, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Playing at the No. 3 slot, sophomore Michael Innerebner fell to Boris Kuharic, 6-4, 6-7. 6-7. Senior John Walker was at the No. 4 spot as Jiri Jezek defeated him, 6-4, 6-4. At the No. 5 position, sophomore Jonathan John fell to Tomas Bohunicky, 6-1, 6-2.

"Like we did all year, we battled against a top 35 team," said head coach Tim Siegel. "Michael had a match point at No. 3 but lost it in the third. At No. 2 Esat lost his in the third. I think we did pretty well without Devin, who was not able to play because he is sick. This team was just a little bit too good for us. I think Alfy was a little tight and nervous, this being his last match. I don't think we were out classed anywhere, besides maybe at No. 5."

Playing at No. 1 doubles, the duo of Perez and Tanik were overturned by Van Elden and Jezel, 8-1. At No. 2, Innerebner and Walker fell to Bondarchuk and Jiri Sposta, 8-2. At No. 3 was John and Steenkamp against Kuharic and Diaz, they did not finish the match.

The Red Raiders are now focusing on the Big 12 Conference Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. which will be held April 24-17. Texas Tech will play at 11:30 a.m. on Friday 25 against the No. 4 seed, which is likely to be Texas A&M.

Men's Tennis Results
No. 54 Texas Tech vs. No. 34 Oklahoma State
at Lubbock, Texas
Final: TT-1	OSU-6

Singles
No. 1 Mark Van Elden (OSU) def. Alfonso Perez (TT), 6-1, 6-4
No. 2 Yevgen Bondarchuk (OSU) def. Esat Tanik (TT), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
No. 3 Boris Kuharic (OSU) def. Michael Innerebner (TT), 6-4, 6-7, 6-7
No. 4 Jiri Jezek (OSU) def. John Walker (TT), 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 Tomas Bohunicky (OSU) def. Jonathan John (TT), 6-1, 6-2
No. 6 Casper Steenkamp (TT) def. Juan Felipe Diaz (OSU), 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

Doubles
No. 1 Van Elden/Jezek (OSU) def. Perez/Tanik, 8-1
No. 2 Bondarchuk/Sposta (OSU) def. Innerebner/Walker, 8-2
No. 3 John/Steenkamp (TT) and Kuharic/Diaz (OSU), DNF