Makenzie Mason | Lariat Photographer
UT, Clemson among latest to fall to BU
By Will Potter
Reporter
The No. 13 ranked men’s tennis team beat the rival No. 8 Texas Longhorns in Austin, 4-3, and made a major statement to not only the conference but the entire nation.
“It’s always a great win every single time we play Texas,” senior Sergio Ramirez said. “The win gives us so much confidence going forward and to beat Texas is so important to us.”
The Bears took an early lead as they won two of the three doubles matches to claim the doubles point and gain a 1-0 edge heading in to singles.
Senior John Peers won his fourth consecutive match over a ranked opponent and improved his overall record in dual match play to 14-3.The 18th ranked Peers overcame an early deficit to knock off No. 59 Kellen Damico 3-6, 6-4, 6-0.
“When I got down early, I pretty much told myself I wasn’t going to miss,” Peers said. “I was determined not to make any errors and it really improved my play. I was able to comeback, play some better tennis and pull out the win.”
Ramirez pulled off an upset in straight sets over No. 28 Ed Corrie 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the match for Baylor and allow the Bears to take over sole possession of first place in the Big 12.
“I came in today with a great game plan to beat Corrie and I executed that plan well,” Ramirez said. “I am confident in my ability and I am just glad I was able to help out the team today.”
The win against the Longhorns marks the seventh consecutive time Baylor has won in Austin. Next up for the Bears is a doubleheader on Saturday where they will host Seminole State College at 1 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. match against UT Arlington.
Women remain in top form
Dominating performances over ranked opponents has become a regular occurrence for the No. 9 women’s team. On Tuesday, the Lady Bears traveled to square off against 11th ranked Clemson and pounded the Tigers 5-2.
The Baylor women won the early doubles point to gain an early 1-0 edge and didn’t look back.
“We finally came out in doubles and competed really well at all three positions,” head coach Joey Scrivano said. “To win the doubles point against a top 15 opponent was huge for us and a big step in the right direction.”
Baylor wasted no time finishing Clemson off in singles as they won four out of the six matches on court including the clinching match from junior Nina Secerbegovic to make the overall score 4-1.
No. 36 Secerbegovic crushed 51st ranked Keri Wong of Clemson 6-2, 6-2 stretching her win streak to 14 consecutive matches.
“Nina is doing a good job of playing disciplined and mature tennis and is really helping us put points on the board,” Scrivano said. “She has been a consistent weapon in the lineup and has been playing well.”
Scrivano is constantly pushing his team to play at the absolute highest level every time they take the court and said there is a reason why the Lady Bears schedule is full of top ranked nonconference opponents.
“The reason why I schedule these tough matches throughout the season is so our team can be ready when the Big 12 tournament and NCAA tournament rolls around.”
The strategy seems to be paying off for Baylor as they have now won six dual matches in a row including four wins over top-35 opponents.
Next up for the Lady Bears is another Big 12 conference match at home as they host the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 5 p.m. Friday at the Baylor Tennis Center.
