Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma
Cowgirl Netters Capture Bedlam Bell
March 26, 2003 | Cowgirl Tennis
March 26, 2003
STILLWATER, Okla. (OSU Athletics
The Cowgirls were able to fend back a much improved Sooners squad despite the absence of head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski. Lubicz-Majewski, who acquired a severe case of the flu while in Louisiana, was unable to attend the day's match.
Assistant coach Luciano Battaglini led the team for the ailing head coach. With the 5-2 victory over instate foe OU, Battaglini picked up his first career collegiate coaching victory.
The Cowgirls (8-5 overall, 3-3 Big 12) got off to a solid start by picking up the doubles point, a feat that they have not accomplished since the March 16 match against Kansas.
"We have been struggling the whole season with picking up the doubles point," said acting coach Battaglini. "Our No. 3 doubles played extremely well in picking up a fairly easy win and our No. 1 position did as well. We did not miss easy shots, especially around the net. We played really simple tennis, but also very consistent."
At the No. 1 doubles position, the No. 25 nationally ranked duo of senior Linda Faltynkova and junior Katya Kolodynska pulled out a close 8-5 victory over OU's Heather Saluri and Annette Bryntessen.
The Sooners (12-3 overall, 3-2 Big 12) would tie it up when Bethany Griffin and Anda Perianu dropped sophomore Ines Furtmayr and freshman Zana Masnic at the No. 2 doubles position, 8-3.
OSU would clinch the team point when senior Erin Pauchnik and sophomore Ewa Radzikowska picked up a key victory over OU's Jessica Braver and Melissa Mendieta at the No. 3 position, 8-3.
The Cowgirls would clinch the match by picking up a victory in four of the six singles matches.
OU picked up the first of its two team points at the No. 1 position. Faltynkova, hampered by an elbow injury, was defeated by No. 76 Perianu in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
The Cowgirls would respond by winning their next three singles matches. Coming from behind in the No. 2 singles position, senior Kate Vasylyeva outlasted Elena Jirnova, 4-6, 6-4 (10-8).
Kolodynska followed suit by defeating Bryntessen at the No. 2 position 6-1, 1-6, 6-2. Radzikowska dominated Saluri in the No. 4 singles slot, 6-0, 6-3.
"She (Radzikowska) has had her ups and downs this match." said Battaglini. "She hasn't been consistent for the whole season, but she had a good week of practices. We have got really quality practice and when they practice well they end up playing well."
The Sooners would pick up their final team point when Griffin defeated Masnic at the No. 5 position, 6-2, 6-2.
OSU responded by picking up the win at the No. 6 singles slot when Furtmayr defeated Mendieta in straight sets, 6-0, 6-3.
The win against the OU marked the 25th time that OSU has defeated it's instate rival. The Cowgirls now hold a 25-10 overall record against Oklahoma.
"One of the things that was important is that the girls had to play with a lot of desire, especially since Oklahoma has already beat Texas," said Battaglini. "Everybody played extremely hard and was very positive. I think the wind helped us out a little because we are used to it. But the most important thing is that we played as a team today. We really wanted to win."
Oklahoma State will now get ready for non conference play as they prepare to host Texas Christian at the DuBois Tennis Center in Stillwater on March 29, at 1:00 p.m.
