The TCU men’s tennis team will begin Big 12 Conference play this Friday in Stillwater, Okla., against Oklahoma State University.

The No. 33 Horned Frogs are 15-5 this season and have won nine of their last 10 matches. The Cowboys, 11-8 on the season, have been dominating in the doubles point, winning 17 of 19 matches this season.

“We are going to do our best to win at doubles and hopefully knock their confidence down early in the match,” head coach David Roditi said.

TCU doubles play has improved over the season, winning the doubles point in eight of the past nine matches. The most recent doubles loss was against No. 24 University of California on March 24.

The team lost the doubles point in all but one of its five losses this season. Roditi said winning that point is critical for most teams because it sets the tone for the rest of the match. 

Going into play this weekend, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association ranked TCU sophomores Nick Chappell and Will Stein No. 79. The duo has won 12 of the last 18 matches this season in doubles play with two unfinished matches.

The Cowboys also have a pair ranked by the ITA at No. 70, sophomore Deny Pume and freshman Richard Del Nunzio. The newcomers to the Oklahoma State team are 10-2 this season.

This will be the team’s first trip to Stillwater and the first road trip after a six-match homestand.

“We have been able to win on the road this season, so I think the guys are prepared and ready,” Roditi said. “Sometimes hitting the road can renew your focus.”

Roditi said one of the team goals is to win the Big 12, starting first with Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m. Friday.