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.

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