Oklahoma Men’s Tennis Opens 2025 Season with a Commanding Sweep over Omaha

Oklahoma Men’s Tennis Opens 2025 Season with a Commanding Sweep over Omaha

 

The University of Oklahoma Men’s Tennis team opened their 2025 season in dominant fashion, securing a 7-0 victory over Omaha in their season opener at the Headington Family Tennis Center on Friday afternoon. The Sooners, ranked in the top 20 nationally, wasted no time asserting their dominance, sweeping all singles and doubles matches to secure the commanding win.

The Sooners, under the leadership of head coach Nick Crowell, have set high expectations for the upcoming season, and this match served as the perfect way to kickstart their campaign. Known for their aggressive play and strong team chemistry, the Oklahoma men’s tennis squad displayed a blend of precision, poise, and resilience from start to finish against Omaha.

Doubles Dominance Sets the Tone

The match began with doubles play, where Oklahoma immediately seized control. The duo of junior Alex Martinez and sophomore Jake Van Emburgh set the tone with a swift 6-1 victory in the No. 1 spot. The pair’s powerful serving and strong net play left Omaha with little opportunity to find a rhythm.

In the No. 2 spot, the Sooners’ partnership of senior captain Justin Roberts and freshman Andrew Lee didn’t miss a beat either, securing a 6-2 win. Their chemistry was evident from the start, as Roberts used his experience to guide Lee through the fast-paced opening match of the season. Finally, the No. 3 pair of senior Carter Black and sophomore Chris Thomas completed the sweep with a comfortable 6-3 victory, giving Oklahoma a commanding 1-0 lead heading into the singles matches.

Singles Sweep: Sooners Leave No Doubt

With a clean sweep in the doubles round, the Sooners carried their momentum into singles play, where they were equally as dominant. At the No. 1 position, Oklahoma’s star player, junior Alejandro Ruiz, faced Omaha’s top competitor, but Ruiz proved too strong, winning 6-2, 6-3. His powerful forehands and ability to control the baseline were on full display as he closed out the match quickly, giving the Sooners a 2-0 lead.

 

In the No. 2 spot, the newly ranked sophomore, Jake Van Emburgh, showed his growth and maturity by securing a 6-1, 6-2 victory. His movement on the court was smooth, and his ability to mix up shots left Omaha’s player struggling to keep up. Van Emburgh’s win put Oklahoma just one point away from clinching the overall victory.

Oklahoma’s deep lineup was on full display in the lower singles spots, where each player continued to put on an impressive show. Senior Justin Roberts, playing at No. 3, cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win, showcasing his versatility and mental toughness. Roberts’ sharp backhands and serve returns were a nightmare for his opponent, and the Sooners were now firmly in control of the match.

In the No. 4 position, freshman Andrew Lee continued to impress in his collegiate debut, taking down Omaha’s player in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Lee, showing maturity beyond his years, kept his composure throughout the match, making quick work of his opponent with consistent, aggressive play.

The No. 5 and No. 6 spots were similarly one-sided. Carter Black, who has long been a steady performer for the Sooners, easily defeated Omaha’s challenger, 6-1, 6-0, while sophomore Chris Thomas wrapped up the sweep with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory. Both Black and Thomas showcased their experience, using a combination of speed and court awareness to secure the final two points for Oklahoma.

Looking Ahead

As the Sooners look ahead to the remainder of the season, Friday’s match served as an ideal way to begin their journey. Coach Crowell expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, noting how important it was to set the tone for the season with a dominant win. “I’m proud of the way our guys executed today,” Crowell said. “Everyone came out focused and played their game. We’ve been working hard in the offseason, and it’s great to see it pay off early in the year.”

Oklahoma will look to build on this momentum as they continue their non-conference schedule. The team is poised to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament this year, and a strong start to the season, as demonstrated by this 7-0 victory, is sure to be a springboard for future success.

The Sooners will next face a much tougher challenge as they prepare to take on nationally ranked opponents in the coming weeks. For now, however, Oklahoma’s 2025 season opener will be remembered as an emphatic statement of intent—one that sets the bar high for the rest of the year.