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Oklahoma Men's Tennis Playing For National Championship

Rich DeCray

For the first time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners Tennis Team advanced to the Final Four and now the NCAA Championship hosted in Athens, GA.

Up against a tough UCLA squad on Monday night, John Roddick and company found themselves in a familiar position. Earlier this year, the two squared off in the ITA Indoor National Championships. It was a match the Sooners lost. Knowing the feeling of defeat, Oklahoma stepped up their game at a crucial point that would eventually decide the winner.

Knotted up at two a piece after UCLA grabbed two quick singles points, a crucial moment arose. Courts No. 1 and No. 6 entered into tiebreakers during the third sets that would all but decide the fate of each program. Fortunately for OU, Guillermo Alcorta and Alex Ghilea secured wins just moments apart sending the Sooners to the title match against USC.

The dream remains intact as Oklahoma had advanced to its first National Championship appearance. However, it is no the first trip for Head Coach John Roddick. As a former Georgia player, Roddick lead the Bulldogs to the National Championship in 1998 before falling to Stanford.

Southern California will present a unique challenge in that the Trojans won four consecutive championships from 2009-2012. Experience certainly sides with the Sooners opponent as they meet this evening. The Finals are set for 4 PM CDT and can be streamed live from NCAA Live Schedule.