TULSA, Olka. – Texas A&M Men’s Tennis’ Jackson Withrow and Arthur Rinderknech magical run to the 2016 NCAA Doubles Championship in Tulsa, Okla. came to an end Monday evening. The A&M tandem claimed runner-up honors in the NCAA Doubles Final, falling 6-4, 6-1 to No. 2 Mackenzie McDonald and Martine Redlicki of UCLA.
The top-10 duo are just the second Texas A&M team to take part in the doubles championship match, in 2011 Austin Krajicek and Jeff Dadamo claimed the National Championship. Krajicek was also a member of the 2008 Doubles Semifinalist team alongside Connor Pollock.
The singles and doubles competition was held May 25-30 at the Case Tennis Center, hosted by the University of Tulsa.
No. 8 Rinderknech and Withrow advanced to the finals after picking up four ranked wins in as many days in the Sooner State. The Maroon & White clad duo finished the season 16-6with a team-best 9-6 record against ranked foes. The Aggie pair have claimed a trio of three set victories in Tulsa, the two are the only doubles team to have claimed more than one third set triumph in the field.
Rinderknech and Withrow claimed their highest-ranked career triumph in Thursday’s opening round, defeating No. 4 Lucas Corinteli and Ryan Shane of Virginia. The second round saw the A&M pair best No. 12 Hugo Dojas and Felipe Soares of Texas Tech in three sets followed by a three-set victory over No. 13 Skander Mansouri and Christian Seraphim of Wake Forest. The pair claimed their place in the finals by topping No. 63 Rogerio Ribiero and David Biosca of East Tennessee State Sunday evening.
The duo earned All-America status for advancing to the NCAA Doubles Quarterfinals. The honor was the first of Rinderknech’s collegiate career and the third for Withrow. The Nebraskan earned doubles honors alongside Junior Ore during his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M men’s tennis. Aggie fans also can keep up to date with the Texas A&M tennis teams on Twitter by following @AggieMTEN.
2016 NCAA Doubles Semifinals Quotes
Arthur Rinderknech, Texas A&M Sophomore
About playing for a National Championship…
“It felt great. The NCAA tournaments are the biggest tournament of the year for a college athlete and I was happy to share this with my friend, teammate, and partner Jackson. We had an amazing week in this doubles tournament. We played incredible sometimes, saving some match points earlier in the tournament. Obviously, as a sophomore I gave my all for Jackson that was playing his last college tournament and obviously a little bit disappointed of todays result. I wanted the title so much for him, but it didn’t go our way.”
On representing Texas A&M on the national stage…
“I was proud to represent my university nationally and show what an Aggie is and represent them. I would like to thank the 12th Man for the support they gave us and thank all three of the coaches for the great job they do, as well as our team staff and the athletic department that gives us, as players the chance to practice and compete at the elite level of college tennis in the country. We will be back next year stronger.”
Jackson Withrow, Texas A&M Senior
On playing in the national championship…
“It was pretty surreal to finish my career in a national championship match, obviously not the way we wanted to finish, but to even have the opportunity to be in that position was pretty special given that it was my last match. Arthur and I had a great week of tennis and played a lot of good teams, so to be in the finals was an amazing feeling. I’m extremely proud of how of he stepped up and played in big moments, it makes me really excited for the future for Texas A&M tennis because it’s definitely a bright one.”
On representing Texas A&M for the last time…
“It’s pretty tough knowing that I won’t be wearing the maroon and white again as an athlete, but these were by far the greatest six years of my life. Not many people are given a second chance to come back and play like I was, so I’m glad I made the most of it. Texas A&M will always be my second home no matter where I am and I just want to thank the Aggie Family for everything they’ve done for me. I will always and forever be an Aggie. Gig ‘Em!”
2016 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships Results
Singles First Round
No. 52 Shane Vinsant (TAMU) def. No. 7 Christopher Eubanks (GT), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Singles Second Round
No. 16 Jaren Hiltzik (ILL) def. No. 52 Shane Vinsant (TAMU) 6-4, 6-2
Doubles First Round
No. 8 Jackson Withrow & Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) def. No. 4 Ryan Shane & Luca Corinteli (UVA) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles Second Round
No. 8 Jackson Withrow & Arthur Rinderknech (TAMU) def. No 12 Hugo Dojas & Felipe Soared (TT) 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (11)
Doubles Quarterfinal
No. 8 Arthur Rinderknech–Jackson Withrow (TAMU) def. No. 13 Skander Mansouri-Christian Seraphim (WF), 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (6)
NCAA Doubles Semifinals
No. 8 Arthur Rinderknech–Jackson Withrow (TAMU) def. No. 63 Rogerio Ribiero-David Biosca (ETSU) 6-2, 5-7, 1-0 (7)
NCAA Doubles Finals
No. 2 Mackenzie McDonald-Martin Redlicki (UCLA) def. No. 8 Arthur Rinderknech-Jackson (TAMU) 6-4, 6-1
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics