Nebraska Men’s Tennis: Huskers Face Oklahoma State & Wichita State | Feb 27 & Mar 1
Lincoln, Nebraska – The University of Nebraska men’s tennis team is preparing for a challenging stretch of matches, beginning with a contest against No. 24 Oklahoma State on and continuing with a road trip to Wichita State on . The Huskers, currently ranked No. 52, will face the Cowboys at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center in Lincoln before heading to Kansas to take on the Wichita State Shockers at the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex.
The Nebraska team enters this phase with a 7-2 record, having recently suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Arkansas on . This marked their second loss of the season against a team from the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Freshman Jeri Lassila is currently leading the Huskers in singles play, boasting a 6-1 record. Senior Leo Linquet is a strong presence in doubles, maintaining a 6-2 record alongside his teammates. These individual performances will be crucial as the team navigates a schedule that includes ranked opponents and a final non-conference match.
Oklahoma State: A Historical Rivalry and Current Strength
The upcoming match against Oklahoma State carries historical weight. While the Cowboys lead the overall series 48-10, dating back to 1958, Nebraska secured a notable 5-2 victory over Oklahoma State last season. This history adds an extra layer of competition to the Friday encounter.
Oklahoma State arrives in Lincoln with a 9-2 record and a No. 24 national ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Their success this season includes victories over Arkansas (4-3) and Memphis (4-1), both of whom Nebraska has faced. However, the Cowboys have also experienced setbacks, with losses to No. 19 Princeton (4-3) and No. 26 Yale (4-3), indicating a competitive landscape within the ITA rankings. The Oklahoma State roster is comprised of a mix of experienced seniors and promising underclassmen.
Notably, Oklahoma State is scheduled to play a neutral match against Omaha on , also at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center, providing an opportunity for local fans to observe the Cowboys before their match against Nebraska.
Wichita State: A Resurgent Opponent
The final non-conference match of the season will see Nebraska travel to Wichita State. The Shockers currently hold a 5-7 record, with a 1-0 record in the American Athletic Conference. The series between the two programs dates back to 1948, with Nebraska holding a 28-23 lead overall. However, Wichita State claimed a 4-3 victory in their most recent meeting in 2023.
Wichita State began the spring season with a challenging 0-3 start but has since rebounded with a 6-1 win against New Mexico State. Their recent form has been characterized by alternating wins and losses over the last nine matches, suggesting a team finding its rhythm. Nebraska will represent the Shockers’ second ranked opponent of the year, following a 4-2 loss to No. 10 Oklahoma in early February.
The Shockers feature Zaid Mashini, ranked No. 103 nationally in singles, who currently holds an 8-7 record. Mashini experienced a mixed start to the spring season, but has shown resilience with recent wins against UTSA and Denver. His performance will be a key factor for Wichita State as they prepare to face Nebraska.
The dual match against Oklahoma State will be held at the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center, with free admission and parking available to the public. Concessions will be available for purchase, and no outside food or drink will be permitted. Live stats and streaming video will be accessible on the Nebraska Athletics website, huskers.com, with updates also provided on X (formerly Twitter) via the HuskerMTennis account.
This upcoming week represents a significant test for the Nebraska men’s tennis team as they navigate a challenging schedule against ranked opponents and a resurgent Wichita State squad. The results will likely shape their trajectory as they move further into the season.