Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Fall in Heartbreaking Loss, 4-3
April 14, 2004 | Cowgirl Tennis
The Cowgirls (6-11, 1-5) were gained the early advantage in their third consecutive match, picking up the doubles point against No. 40 Tulsa (14-7).
“Today was a heartbreaking match,” said head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski. “Our girls played really well in doubles. Tulsa brought back their entire team from last year and we have so many young athletes. We have some positives from this match, but it is still one that we feel we should have had.”
At the top position, seniors Katya Kolodynska and Jana Karaskova jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 8-4 decision over Daniela Muscolino and Ilona Somers.
OSU claimed the team point when junior Ines Furtmayr and sophomore Zana Masnic defeated Zoe Buhagiar and Lisette Pereira at the No. 2 position, 8-6.
Tulsa was able to avoid the sweep by picking up the 9-8 (6) at the third position when freshmen Jennifer Poskitt and Lauren Simmons fell to Kindsay Grimes and Santie Delport.
In a match that was tightly contested through its finish, OSU fell in four of the six singles positions.
TU evened the overall score when No. 56 Muscolino defeated Kolodynska at the top singles position, 6-0, 6-2. Tulsa extended the lead when Furtmayr fell to Somers at the second position, 6-4, 6-0.
“I am not particularly happy with the performance of our top players,” Lubicz-Majewski said. “They did not play well for us today and should never be in the position to lose by that much.”
The Cowgirls fought back to even the match when Karaskova picked up her second straight victory, defeating Donata Majauskaite at the third position, 6-0, 6-3.
Tulsa once again took the lead when Delport dropped Poskitt at the No. 5 position, 6-1, 7-7. Simmons responded by picking up the 6-3, 6-4 straight set decision at the No. 6 position over Timberly Greenly.
“I am extremely proud of the effort of this team,” Lubicz-Majewski said. “Our young players are learning a lot and getting more experience every time. We were definitely the underdog today, but gave them all they could take.”
The days match was decided at the fourth position. In a tight contest, Masnic came out on the short end of a 7-5, 7-5 decision against Pereira.
OSU's lone sophomore trailed in the second set 5-1, but fought back to even things up before falling in the days closest match.
“A coach can only teach you so many things,” Lubicz-Majewski said. “You learn how to deal with hardships by playing in these sort of matches. Zana had the match on her shoulders and she tried her hardest to win for her team. Next time she is in this sort of position, I am confident Zana will win the match for us.”
OSU will attempt to rebound from the tough loss when they square off against conference foe Baylor at the Baylor Tennis Facility in Waco, Texas on April 17.
Singles
1. Daniela Muscolino (TU) def. Katya Kolodynska (OSU) 6-0, 6-2
2. Ilona Somers (TU) def. Ines Furtmayr (OSU) 6-4, 6-0
3. Jana Karaskova (OSU) def. Donata Majauskaite (TU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Lisette Pereira (TU) def. Zana Masnic (OSU) 7-5, 7-5
5. Santie Delport (TU) def. Jennifer Poskitt (OSU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Lauren Simmons (OSU) def. Timberly Greenly (TU) 6-3, 6-4
Doubles
1. Kolodynska/Karaskova (OSU) def. Somers/Muscolino (TU) 8-4
2. Furtmayr/Masnic (OSU) def. Zoe Buhagiar/Pereira (TU) 8-6
3. Kindsay Grimes/Delport (TU) def. Poskitt/Simmons (OSU) 9-8 (6)
