GERALD WALLACE TENNIS CENTER, MOBILE, Ala. - Coming off a 1-2 week at the SSAC Men's Tennis Roundup last week, the University of Mobile Men's Tennis team returned to action at home on Wednesday afternoon, Apr. 5, hosting conference rival William Carey University. The meeting between the two conference rivals on Wednesday was the first this season, and saw the Crusaders come out on top with a 5-1 victory.
For the Rams, Mobile has now lost four of five matchups, and drops the overall season record back to .500 at 5-5. In conference play, Mobile is 1-5 this year.
Seventh-Ranked Crusaders Top Mobile; Okano Stays Undefeated in Conference Play
The afternoon started off with No. 7 William Carey earning the doubles point after winning two of three doubles matches over Mobile. The Rams took the win in the first flight of doubles play, with Joao Pedro Okano and Alex Verdu of Mobile earning a 6-2 win over William Carey's top pair. However, William Carey answered the loss with two wins across flights two and three, claiming 6-3 and 6-2 victories.
In singles action, Joao Pedro Okano continued his strong season for the Rams, winning 6-3, 6-3 from No. 1 singles. With his individual win on Wednesday, Pedro Okano remains undefeated in SSAC play this year, making a case for the SSAC Men's Tennis Player of the Year. Eventually, Pedro Okano's point became Mobile's lone point of the afternoon.
William Carey managed to secure wins in the second, third, fourth, and sixth flights to grab the match win, with No. 5 singles being left unfinished. Every match in singles play went two sets.
Two Matches Left Ahead of Postseason
With Mobile concluding conference play during the 2023 regular season on Wednesday, the Rams are scheduled for two non-conference matches ahead of the 2023 postseason. Mobile's next match is set for Saturday, Apr. 8 against Rust College, with start time currently being scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT at the Gerald Wallace Tennis Center at the University of Mobile.
Later, the Rams will end the regular season portion of the schedule with a crosstown rivalry match against Spring Hill College on Thursday, Apr. 13 at home.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
