OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Sophomore Marko Nikoliuk posted an impressive three-day stretch this past weekend that saw the Ukrainian finish as the regional runner-up; one win away from claiming the ITA Regional Title and advancing to the ITA Cup/Fall National in Rome, Georgia, later this month. Despite the defeat, an outside shot remains that Nikoliuk could advance as an at-large selection for the individual championships. The six-foot, three-inch second-year player advanced through five opponents including four from the Great American Conference before falling in three sets in the finals.
 
"Marko Nikoliuk came back [from the summer] and has been on an absolute mission," noted second-year head coach Greg Owen. "His preparation and focus in training lets you know what type of player is coming on match day. His offensive game was good last season and [it is] even better now."
 
In doubles action, the duo of sophomore Yuri Gondouin and senior Aleksandr Pokusaev advanced to the regional final. Their success included winning back-to-back matches over Southeastern Oklahoma State opposition to advance to the final match.
 
"Pokusaev/Gondouin looked like a Team that has been together for years," stated Owen. "Serves and returns for those 2 guys were great this weekend. They continually up'd their game in the biggest moments and matches."
 
"Both the men's and women's team have performed well and have had a very productive fall season," noted Owen. "We know the work and tournament play this season will pay off & only help us achieve our goals during our team championship season." He added, "[I am] very proud of our group and know that this is just the beginning of a great year."
 
Marko Nikoliuk – 6^th seed
Def. Tory Shafer (Augustana) 6-0, 6-2
Def. Matias Le Fort (Oklahoma Baptist) 6-0, 6-1
Def. Alex Sandro (Harding) 6-3, 7-6
Def. Santiago Kearney (Ouachita) 6-2, 6-3
Def. Daniel Ortiz (Harding) 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
Lost to Manuel Pilotto (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 3-6, 6-3, 3-6
 
Yuri Gondouin – 16^th seed
Def. Milos Vuckovic (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 6-4, 6-4
Lost to Daniel Ortiz (Harding) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (5)
 
Alexandre Machaj
Def. Chase Brill (Washburn) 6-3, 3-6, 1-0
Lost to Juan Mancada (Ouachita) 7-5, 6-4 (8)
 
Aleksandr Pokusaev
Lost to Andres Gaterol (Oklahoma Baptist) 3-6, 3-6
Lost to Lauri Soome (Newman) 8-2
 
Stuart Rehfuss – 3^rd seed
Def. Sawyer Nickel (Northwest Missouri State) 6-3, 6-2
Lost to Manuel Pilotto (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 2-6, 4-6
 
Sofiane Bah
Def. Teodor Antelj (Newman) 6-1, 6-4
Lost to Paul Hasse (Washburn) 3-6, 6-2, 0-1 (7)
 
Gustavo Kerber
Def. Luke Howard (Washburn) 6-2, 6-1
Def. Andrea Zamurri (Northwest Missouri State) 6-0, 6-2
Lost to Paul Hasse (Washburn) 6-0, 6-4
 
Gianfranco Germinara
Def. Matt Hokanson (Augustana) 6-4, 6-1
Lost to Bruno Suiama (Oklahoma Baptist) 6-4, 7-6
 
Gondouin/Pokusaev
Def. Antelj/Miasato (Newman) 9-8 (2)
Def. Velasco/Kurtze (Northwest Missouri State) 8-5
Def. Vuckovic/Roberts (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 8-6
Def. Finet/Krueger (Southeastern Oklahoma State)
Lost to Calloud/Zamurri (Northwest Missouri State) 5-7, 4-6
 
Rehfuss/Nikoliuk
Def. Rollins/Brewer (Oklahoma Baptist) 8-1
Def. Hasse/Brill (Washburn) 8-6
Lost to Scopetta/Pilotto (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 8-2
 
Bah/Machaj
Def. Lowger/Schaffer (Augustana) 8-3
Def. Dicu/Edenmueller (Washburn) 8-6
Lost to Finet/Krueger (Southeastern Oklahoma State) 8-5
 
Germinara/Kerber
Lost to Calloud/Zamurri (Northwest Missouri State) 8-5