Sophmore Dean O'Brien took national ranking back in recent ITA poll
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - After completing an undefeated spring season
in the OVC at 8-0, Sophomore men's tennis player Dean O'Brien once
again earned a national ranking. He is ranked No. 110 in the most
recent ITA poll that was released.
"Dean is one of the top players not just in the conference but in
the country," said coach Dan Silverstein. "He brings a lot to this
program and he deserves this honor."
O'Brien completed a perfect OVC season going 8-0 at the top singles
sport. He was only pushed to three sets in the conference twice
this season and only five times total. In only the second spring
match of the season he defeated then ranked No. 29 Clint Bowles of
Florida State 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. The win boosted him into the national
rankings at No. 107 before boosting it up to No. 102 less than two
weeks later.
This season included a 15-set winning streak from a straight sets
win at Chattanooga until the match against Eastern Illinois.
O'Brien looks to lead in this week's OVC Championships which begins
on Aprl 17. Tech (11-7, 6-2 OVC) is seeded third in the tournament
and will face sixth-seeded Eastern Illinois at 2 p.m. in the first
round. Earlier this season the Golden Eagles swept through the
Panthers 7-0 winning all doubles and singles matches.
