Texas Tech University Athletics
Wallin wins Big 12 Player of the Week
March 14, 2023 | Men's Tennis
LUBBOCK, Texas – For the first time in his career, junior Olle Wallin was named the Big 12 Player of the Week after his undefeated weekend in singles as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
This marks the first time in almost two years that a Red Raider has won Big 12 Player of the Week as Ilgiz Valiev claimed the honor back on March 16, 2021.
Wallin had a dominant week at the top of the lineup, helping the Red Raiders beat three-ranked opponents to win the Diablos Tennis Tournament title.
In the first round of the competition against the No. 67-ranked Michigan State Spartans, Wallin took on No. 29 Ozan Baris at court one. Not dropping a set against the Spartan, the Red Raider would win with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 score and clinched the match for Tech with their fourth sweep of the year, 4-0.
Taking on host-team and No. 31-ranked Arizona State in the semifinals, the Halmstad, Sweden native had another tall task ahead as he was facing No. 57 and 2022 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Murphy Cassone. Wallin would only lose three games in his match at court one, to help the Red Raiders win a crucial, 4-3, match against the Sun Devils.
In the finals, the Red Raiders were paired against the No. 24 Memphis Tigers and Wallin was taking on his third-ranked opponent of the tournament in No. 48 Pablo Alemany. With Memphis winning the doubles point, Tech had to put together four singles wins in order to claim the match and the tournament title. Wallin would help with that as he defeated the Tiger in three tough sets to put Tech up 2-1. Wallin would lose the first set, and only set of the week, by a 6-4 score. He bounced back, putting up a decisive 6-1 second set and closed it out with a 6-3 third to win the match and help the Red Raiders defeat Memphis, 4-2.
Wallin is now on a five-match win streak with all five of those coming against ranked opponents. He is tied for first on the team with 10 total singles wins while also leading the team with five ranked singles victories. In addition, Wallin is 8-3 at the one position for Tech.
The Red Raiders travel to Eugene, Ore., for two matches against Oregon and BYU on March 16-17.
This marks the first time in almost two years that a Red Raider has won Big 12 Player of the Week as Ilgiz Valiev claimed the honor back on March 16, 2021.
Wallin had a dominant week at the top of the lineup, helping the Red Raiders beat three-ranked opponents to win the Diablos Tennis Tournament title.
In the first round of the competition against the No. 67-ranked Michigan State Spartans, Wallin took on No. 29 Ozan Baris at court one. Not dropping a set against the Spartan, the Red Raider would win with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 score and clinched the match for Tech with their fourth sweep of the year, 4-0.
Taking on host-team and No. 31-ranked Arizona State in the semifinals, the Halmstad, Sweden native had another tall task ahead as he was facing No. 57 and 2022 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Murphy Cassone. Wallin would only lose three games in his match at court one, to help the Red Raiders win a crucial, 4-3, match against the Sun Devils.
In the finals, the Red Raiders were paired against the No. 24 Memphis Tigers and Wallin was taking on his third-ranked opponent of the tournament in No. 48 Pablo Alemany. With Memphis winning the doubles point, Tech had to put together four singles wins in order to claim the match and the tournament title. Wallin would help with that as he defeated the Tiger in three tough sets to put Tech up 2-1. Wallin would lose the first set, and only set of the week, by a 6-4 score. He bounced back, putting up a decisive 6-1 second set and closed it out with a 6-3 third to win the match and help the Red Raiders defeat Memphis, 4-2.
Wallin is now on a five-match win streak with all five of those coming against ranked opponents. He is tied for first on the team with 10 total singles wins while also leading the team with five ranked singles victories. In addition, Wallin is 8-3 at the one position for Tech.
The Red Raiders travel to Eugene, Ore., for two matches against Oregon and BYU on March 16-17.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Vaccari/ Stewart Celebration
Sunday, February 23
Pawlak/Abboud Celebration
Sunday, February 23
Thiago Guglieri Win
Saturday, February 22
Doubles Celebration
Saturday, February 22