Four Cowgirls Fall in Tournament's Qualifying Rounds

Oklahoma State's women's tennis team saw all four individuals entered into the qualifying bracket of the Wilson/ITA Region V Championships fall on the tournament's first day.

Junior Zana Masnic and freshman Jana Kubicikova advanced to the Round of 32 before they were eliminated. Masnic advanced after downing Mali Gakovic of Southwest Missouri State in the Round of 64 in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.

"Today was a tough day of competition for us," head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski said. "We were hoping that we would be able to advance a few individuals into the main draw, but it did not work out that way."

Masnic faced Nebraska's Pamela Castellejos in the second round, dropping a close match, 6-4, 6-3.

Kubicikova was victorious in her first match of the day, defeating Beth Chermel of Iowa State, 6-1, 6-1. She then fell victim to the qualifying round's No. 3 seed Tako Kvariskhelia, 6-1, 6-4.

"Jana played very well considering who her opponent was," Lubicz-Majewski said. "She and Zana played well and I am proud of the effort they displayed and that she never gave up today."

Newcomer Iryna Tkachenko is the only Cowgirl remaining in the singles portion of the tournament. Tkachenko will begin competition in the Main Draw of the tournament Thursday at the Michael D. Case Tennis Complex at 8 a.m.

OSU will have two teams competing in the doubles portion of the Main Draw starting immediately following the completion of singles play.

Round of 64

Zana Masnic (OSU) def. Mali Gakovic (SMS) 6-2, 6-1

Jana Kubicikova (OSU) def. Beth Chermel (ISU) 6-1, 6-1

Barbara Kourim (Denver) def. Lauren Simmons (OSU) 6-4, 6-1

Nora Quintal (UNM) def. Jennifer Poskitt (OSU) 6-2, 6-3

Round of 32

Pamela Castellejos (Neb.) def. Zana Masnic (OSU) 6-4, 6-3

(3) Tako Kyariskhelia (KSU) def. Jana Kubicikova (OSU) 6-1, 6-4