TCU had already clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title, but a 4-2 win over Texas Tech secured an outright title heading into the conference tournament.
TCU (18-3, 4-0) was led by doubles newcomer Max Kurzban and his partner Reese Stalder, who downed Texas Tech’s Matheus Leite and Tommy Mylnikov 6-4 to earn the doubles point for the Frogs.
“We got a huge win at number three doubles to give us a critical doubles point,” head coach David Roditi said. “Max Kurzban stepped up with Reese Stalder and they prepared well and it paid off.”
Stalder and Leite met again in singles play on court five and Stalder cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win. Senior Trevor Johnson picked up his second victory of the afternoon to give TCU an early 3-0 lead in the match.
Texas Tech (19-9, 1-4) responded with a pair of victories, including Connor Curry’s win over No. 91 Guillermo Nuñez 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to trim the Horned Frogs’ lead to 3-2.
No. 57 Alastair Gray recovered from a first-set loss on court four to down Tech’s Ilgiz Valiev 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-4 to finish off the Red Raiders and give TCU a win in their final match of the regular season.
“Winning here takes a lot more than just tennis,” Roditi said. “I am proud of our guys for rising to the challenge.”
Up Next:
With the regular season title secured, TCU earned the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament in Austin, Texas. The Frogs will have a first-round bye and won’t play until Saturday, April 28.
