No. 15 Men’s Tennis Cruises Past No. 39 Oklahoma State, 4-0, on Senior NightNo. 15 Men’s Tennis Cruises Past No. 39 Oklahoma State, 4-0, on Senior Night

No. 15 Men’s Tennis Cruises Past No. 39 Oklahoma State, 4-0, on Senior Night

by Gabriella Parra Bonet
Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO – With the added energy of the program’s Senior Night celebration, the No. 15 UCF men’s tennis team created an atmosphere that led to a great ending for our seniors against No. 39 Oklahoma State, taking down the Cowboys 4-0. 

The Knights (18-4, 4-2 Big 12) set the tone by controlling the doubles point and carried that momentum into singles play, clinching the match over the Cowboys (14-8, 1-4) with three straight wins. With the victory, the Knights improved to a perfect 14-0 record at home this season.

“Senior Night is always special in college sports, but with these four seniors in particular—who have been with UCF all four years and helped build this foundation since I took over—there’s an extra level of energy and emotion.”

Head Coach Lloyd Bruce-Burgess

The afternoon began with a slight rain delay that led to all matches being moved indoors. Even with the setback, the tandem of Luca Hotze and Nicolas Oliveira wasted no time setting the ton in doubles, sealing court three with a score of 6-3. 

The Knights saw the same drive in the remaining duos of Yassine Dlimi and Paul Colin on court one and Mehdi Benchkroun and Wissam Abderrahman on two. With both duos going strong, the doubles point was anyone’s to clinch and secure the advantage. Benchakourm and Abderrahman fought hard and took the doubles point, 7-5. 

Continuing that same energy from the doubles win, junior Abderrahman was able to easily fend off Cowboy's Nicolas Kobelt, with a straight set win 6-3, 6-2, on court two.

Senior Colin didn’t waste any time, securing the Knights' next point, closing out an almost flawless match, 6-2, 6-1, against the Cowboys Derek Pham, on court four. To close out this amazing senior night celebration, Dlimi rose to the occasion, delivering a memorable moment to honor the seniors with a 6-2, 6-2 victory on the Knights' top court. 

When play was halted, Benchakroun led 6-0,5-0 on court three, and Clement Lemire led 6-3, 6-4 on court six, while Oliveira trailed on five 4-6, 2-5. 

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UP NEXT
The Knights will close out the remainder of the regular season on the road, taking on No. 9 Arizona on Thursday, April 9, before making the short trip north to Tempe on Sunday, April 12, to face No. 26 Arizona State. 

SINGLES RESULTS

  1.  #85 Yassine Dlimi (UCF) def. Alessio Basile (OSU) 6-2, 6-2
  2. #106 Wissam Abderrahman (UCF) def. Nicolas Kobelt (OSU) 6-3, 6-2
  3. Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) vs. Ian Bracks (OSU) 6-0, 5-0, unfinished
  4. Paul Colin (UCF) def. Derek Pham (OSU) 6-2, 6-1
  5. Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) vs. Aaron Williams (OSU) 4-6, 2-5, unfinished
  6. Clement Lemire (UCF) vs. Haydar Gokpinar (OSU) 6-3, 4-4, unfinished

DOUBLES RESULTS

  1.  Yassine Dlimi/Paul Colin (UCF) vs. Nicolas Kobelt/Aaron Williams (OSU) 5-6, unfinished
  2. Wissam Abderrahman/Mehdi Benchakroun (UCF) def. Alessio Basile/Haydar Gokpinar (OSU) 7-5
  3. Luca Hotze/Nicolas Oliveira (UCF) def. Ian Bracks/Derek Pham (OSU) 6-3