Men's Tennis to Host Wichita State for Season Opener Thursday

TULSA, Okla. – The University of Tulsa Men's Tennis team is set to open their 2017 season as they play host to Wichita State at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center on Thursday evening. Match time is set for 6 p.m.

Tulsa has won their last two meetings with the Shockers, including a 4-3 win at the Case Tennis Center last season. TU is currently receiving votes in the top-25 poll while senior Or Ram-Harel comes in ranked 46^th in singles play and Francois and Okkie Kellerman come into their sophomore campaigns ranked 36^th in doubles. The Kellerman duo are the first TU doubles pairing to be ranked in the initial ITA rankings since Clifford Marsland and Ashley Watling began the 2012 season ranked third.

The Hurricane head into the 2017 campaign after posting a 17-14 record in 2016 on the way to making their 11^th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 18^th in program history. Tulsa finished the year ranked 24^th nationally as they finished second in the American Athletic Conference for the second consecutive season.

Videos and live statistics from the match been the Hurricane and Shockers can be found here.

LOOKING FORWARD...
TU returns eight players from last year's squad that finished runner-up in the American Athletic Conference for the second straight season. The Hurricane earned their 11th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 18th in program history in 2016.

ITA RANKINGS...
Tulsa finds themselves receiving votes in the initial rankings released by the ITA on Jan. 4. Or Ram-Harel enters his senior campaign ranked 46th in doubles play, marking the second straight season the Kiryat Ivon, Israel native has been ranked to start the year. Francois and Okkie Kellerman are positioned at 36th in the poll and are the first doubles pairing since 2012 to be featured in the initial ITA poll (Clifford Marsland/Ashley Watling, 3rd).

FALL PRESEASON...
The Hurricane played in five total events during teh fall, including the Saint Francis ITA All-American, which Tulsa hosted for the 12th time. Sophomore Dominic Bechard and senior Daniel Santos both finished fall play with winning records as Bechard rounded out singles play at 5-4, including a runner-up finish at the USTA Wildcard Shootout, while Santos went 6-2 in eight matches.

FULL WEEKLY NOTES

For all Tulsa men's and women's tennis news and information, visit TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Women's Tennis on Twitter and Facebook. Follow Tulsa Men's Tennis on Twitter and Facebook.

Men's Tennis to Host Wichita State for Season Opener Thursday

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Players Mentioned

Dominic Bechard

Okkie Kellerman

Or Ram-Harel

Daniel Santos