Oklahoma State University Athletics
Unbeaten Cowgirls Ready for Tough Big 12 Stretch
March 08, 2007 | Cowgirl Tennis
Oklahoma State's 43rd-ranked women's tennis team will put its undefeated record (6-0, 2-0) on the line this week with a pair of tough Big 12 matches.
The action will begin on Saturday when the Cowgirls host No. 25 Baylor (6-5, 1-1) at the DeBois Tennis Center in Stillwater at noon. OSU will be looking to snap a three-match skid against the Bears. OSU last beat Baylor, 4-3, in Stillwater during their 2003 Big 12 Championship season.
“It looks like we have a tough weekend as we might be playing two of the hottest teams in the Big 12,” head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski said. “We expect Baylor to play really well to try to bounce back from the Colorado loss. Our schedule is starting to get real tough. Our girls are prepared however.”
The Cowgirls are off to their best start since 1988-89 and their best start under Lubicz-Majewski. They are the only undefeated Big 12 team remaining.
In singles play, OSU continues to be paced by Iryna Tkachenko and Nataliya Shatkovskaya who each have notched five wins this semester. Tkachenko lost her first singles match of the season against Texas Tech while Shatkovskaya remains unbeaten. Yawna Allen and Lauren Simmons are second on the team with four wins apiece. Marta Tsivka and Jennifer Poskitt round out the starters with three wins each.
Allen and Skatkovskaya also form the Cowgirls' top doubles team with a 5-1 record.
Scouting #25 Baylor (6-5, 1-1)
The Baylor Bears are 6-5, 1-1 this season and are coming off a 5-2 loss at Colorado last weekend. The loss snapped the Bears 25-match conference winning streak. All five of the Bears' losses have come against nationally-ranked squads and three of those have come against top 10 teams. Last season, BU won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships. They have won three-straight Big 12 titles. BU leads the all-time series with OSU 8-4 and has won the last three.
The Bears are coached by Joey Scrivano who is in his fifth season in Waco. BU's top ranked player is No. 38 Zuzana Zemenova who won the NCAA Title as a freshman. Overall, Baylor had four players and a doubles team ranked in the last ITA rankings. The Bears will face Oklahoma on Friday.
Scouting No. 30 Colorado (7-3, 3-0)
The Colorado Buffalos are 7-3, 3-0 this season and are coming off a huge upset of Baylor, 5-2, in Boulder. All three of CU's loses have come against nationally-ranked foes. OSU has the advantage in the all-time series, 20-6. OSU upset the Buffalos, 5-2, last season in Stillwater for one of the bigger wins for the Cowgirls last season.
BU is coached by Nicole Kenneally who is in her eighth season as head coach. While the Buffalos have no one ranked, all six of their starters have won at least six matches and have a winning record. Two of their doubles tandems have seven wins. They are led by Monica Milewski who has won five straight at No. 1 singles. The Buffalos will travel to Missouri on Saturday.
Last Time Out
Last time out, the Cowgirls downed No. 55 Texas Tech to win its six match of the season. OSU lost the doubles point but got singles victories from Allen, Shatkovskaya, Simmons, Tsivka and Poskitt to take five of six singles matches and win the dual, 5-2.
Strength from the Top
Head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski continues to get outstanding results from the top three in his singles lineup. With two wins against Texas Tech, OSU is now 14-2 at the top of the lineup. Tkachenko, Allen and Shatkovskaya have started every dual at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, and have only two loses among them.
More on the streak
As stated already, OSU's 6-0 start is the best under Lubicz-Majewski and also the most wins to open a season since the 1988-89 season. Overall , OSU best start came in 1980 when the Cowgirls started the 1980-81 season 18-0 under Ike Groce. They would finish the season 29-2 to win the program's first Big 8 crown. Overall OSU has started the season with at least five wins eight times and each season they have gone on to win the conference title.
Start Season Coach Result
1. 18-0 1980-81 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
2. 12-0 1986-87 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
3. 10-0 1981-82 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
10-0 1984-85 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
10-0 1985-86 Groce/Louderback Big 8 Champions
6. 7-0 1988-89 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
7. 6-0 1987-88 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
6-0 2006-07 Julius Lubicz-Majewski ?
9. 5-0 2002-03 Julius Lubicz-Majewski Big 12 Champions
Cowgirl Returners
The Cowgirl lineup features a wealth of experience as head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski's squad features seven returning letter winners. Junior Iryna Tkachenko, the Cowgirl's No. 1 player a year ago, will look to regain the form that made her an All-Big 12 selection her freshman season.
Senior Lauren Simmons, who split time between No. 2 and No. 3 singles last season, also returns to the Cowgirls. Simmons was an Academic All-American last season, as well as a Big 12 Player of the Week selection.
The Cowgirls also return another former Big 12 Player of the Week in Yawna Allen. The junior spent most of the 2006 spring season at the No. 4 spot.
Marta Tsivka, the Big 12 Champion at No. 5 singles last season, also returns for her senior season.
Also returning are senior Jennifer Poskitt, junior Jessica Collins and sophomore Zuzanna Osinska. The trio all split time at No. 6 singles last season, with Poskitt leading the way with a 7-4 record.
Newcomers
The only scholarship newcomer this season is freshman Natalia Shatkovskaya. The talented newcomer hails from Minsk, Belarus. The Cowgirls only had one scholarship available after losing only Zana Masnic from last season's squad. Masnic exhausted her eligibility in the spring of 2006 and left the program with over 50 career singles victories and 40 doubles wins.
Head Coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski
Head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski is entering his 18th season leading the Cowgirl tennis program. His 18-year tenure is the longest in the program's history and is currently third among active coaches at Oklahoma State, trailing only men's tennis coach James Wadley and men's track and field coach Dick Weis.
Lubicz-Majewski has a career record of 247-161 (.605), with all of his school-record 247 wins coming at OSU. He has also led the Cowgirls to four conference titles.
New Assistance
Lubicz-Majewski will have a new assistant coach this season in former Cowboy tennis star Mark Van Elden. Van Elden replaces Dominika Olszewska, who assisted Lubicz-Majewski for three seasons. The Australia natives primary focus will be on recruiting.
Van Elden played at Oklahoma State from 2003-05 under Cowboy head coach James Wadley and was an All-Big 12 selection and NCAA invitee in each of his three seasons in Stillwater.
Van Elden won 59 matches during his Cowboy career and was ranked as high as 13th in the ITA rankings. The Cowboys won 55 matches during his stay in Stillwater and hosted an NCAA Regional in 2005.
Successful in the Classroom
Over the summer, the Cowgirl tennis program was recognized by the ITA for its hard work in the classroom during the 2005-06 school year. The team was named an Academic All-American team for the fourth straight season and Zana Masnic, Lauren Simmons and Zuzanna Osinska were each named Academic All-Americans.
ITA Women's Hall of Fame
Former Cowgirl star Lori McNeil was inducted into the ITA Women's Hall of Fame Sept. 15 in Williamsburg, Va.
McNeil was an All-American in 1982 and was a three-time conference champion while a part of the Cowgirl program. McNeil went on to a successful 19-year pro career that featured 10 singles championships and 32 doubles titles. She also made a memorable run to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1994 and was an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic team in 2004.
The action will begin on Saturday when the Cowgirls host No. 25 Baylor (6-5, 1-1) at the DeBois Tennis Center in Stillwater at noon. OSU will be looking to snap a three-match skid against the Bears. OSU last beat Baylor, 4-3, in Stillwater during their 2003 Big 12 Championship season.
“It looks like we have a tough weekend as we might be playing two of the hottest teams in the Big 12,” head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski said. “We expect Baylor to play really well to try to bounce back from the Colorado loss. Our schedule is starting to get real tough. Our girls are prepared however.”
The Cowgirls are off to their best start since 1988-89 and their best start under Lubicz-Majewski. They are the only undefeated Big 12 team remaining.
In singles play, OSU continues to be paced by Iryna Tkachenko and Nataliya Shatkovskaya who each have notched five wins this semester. Tkachenko lost her first singles match of the season against Texas Tech while Shatkovskaya remains unbeaten. Yawna Allen and Lauren Simmons are second on the team with four wins apiece. Marta Tsivka and Jennifer Poskitt round out the starters with three wins each.
Allen and Skatkovskaya also form the Cowgirls' top doubles team with a 5-1 record.
Scouting #25 Baylor (6-5, 1-1)
The Baylor Bears are 6-5, 1-1 this season and are coming off a 5-2 loss at Colorado last weekend. The loss snapped the Bears 25-match conference winning streak. All five of the Bears' losses have come against nationally-ranked squads and three of those have come against top 10 teams. Last season, BU won both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships. They have won three-straight Big 12 titles. BU leads the all-time series with OSU 8-4 and has won the last three.
The Bears are coached by Joey Scrivano who is in his fifth season in Waco. BU's top ranked player is No. 38 Zuzana Zemenova who won the NCAA Title as a freshman. Overall, Baylor had four players and a doubles team ranked in the last ITA rankings. The Bears will face Oklahoma on Friday.
Scouting No. 30 Colorado (7-3, 3-0)
The Colorado Buffalos are 7-3, 3-0 this season and are coming off a huge upset of Baylor, 5-2, in Boulder. All three of CU's loses have come against nationally-ranked foes. OSU has the advantage in the all-time series, 20-6. OSU upset the Buffalos, 5-2, last season in Stillwater for one of the bigger wins for the Cowgirls last season.
BU is coached by Nicole Kenneally who is in her eighth season as head coach. While the Buffalos have no one ranked, all six of their starters have won at least six matches and have a winning record. Two of their doubles tandems have seven wins. They are led by Monica Milewski who has won five straight at No. 1 singles. The Buffalos will travel to Missouri on Saturday.
Last Time Out
Last time out, the Cowgirls downed No. 55 Texas Tech to win its six match of the season. OSU lost the doubles point but got singles victories from Allen, Shatkovskaya, Simmons, Tsivka and Poskitt to take five of six singles matches and win the dual, 5-2.
Strength from the Top
Head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski continues to get outstanding results from the top three in his singles lineup. With two wins against Texas Tech, OSU is now 14-2 at the top of the lineup. Tkachenko, Allen and Shatkovskaya have started every dual at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, and have only two loses among them.
More on the streak
As stated already, OSU's 6-0 start is the best under Lubicz-Majewski and also the most wins to open a season since the 1988-89 season. Overall , OSU best start came in 1980 when the Cowgirls started the 1980-81 season 18-0 under Ike Groce. They would finish the season 29-2 to win the program's first Big 8 crown. Overall OSU has started the season with at least five wins eight times and each season they have gone on to win the conference title.
Start Season Coach Result
1. 18-0 1980-81 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
2. 12-0 1986-87 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
3. 10-0 1981-82 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
10-0 1984-85 Ike Groce Big 8 Champions
10-0 1985-86 Groce/Louderback Big 8 Champions
6. 7-0 1988-89 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
7. 6-0 1987-88 Brad Louderback Big 8 Champions
6-0 2006-07 Julius Lubicz-Majewski ?
9. 5-0 2002-03 Julius Lubicz-Majewski Big 12 Champions
Cowgirl Returners
The Cowgirl lineup features a wealth of experience as head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski's squad features seven returning letter winners. Junior Iryna Tkachenko, the Cowgirl's No. 1 player a year ago, will look to regain the form that made her an All-Big 12 selection her freshman season.
Senior Lauren Simmons, who split time between No. 2 and No. 3 singles last season, also returns to the Cowgirls. Simmons was an Academic All-American last season, as well as a Big 12 Player of the Week selection.
The Cowgirls also return another former Big 12 Player of the Week in Yawna Allen. The junior spent most of the 2006 spring season at the No. 4 spot.
Marta Tsivka, the Big 12 Champion at No. 5 singles last season, also returns for her senior season.
Also returning are senior Jennifer Poskitt, junior Jessica Collins and sophomore Zuzanna Osinska. The trio all split time at No. 6 singles last season, with Poskitt leading the way with a 7-4 record.
Newcomers
The only scholarship newcomer this season is freshman Natalia Shatkovskaya. The talented newcomer hails from Minsk, Belarus. The Cowgirls only had one scholarship available after losing only Zana Masnic from last season's squad. Masnic exhausted her eligibility in the spring of 2006 and left the program with over 50 career singles victories and 40 doubles wins.
Head Coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski
Head coach Julius Lubicz-Majewski is entering his 18th season leading the Cowgirl tennis program. His 18-year tenure is the longest in the program's history and is currently third among active coaches at Oklahoma State, trailing only men's tennis coach James Wadley and men's track and field coach Dick Weis.
Lubicz-Majewski has a career record of 247-161 (.605), with all of his school-record 247 wins coming at OSU. He has also led the Cowgirls to four conference titles.
New Assistance
Lubicz-Majewski will have a new assistant coach this season in former Cowboy tennis star Mark Van Elden. Van Elden replaces Dominika Olszewska, who assisted Lubicz-Majewski for three seasons. The Australia natives primary focus will be on recruiting.
Van Elden played at Oklahoma State from 2003-05 under Cowboy head coach James Wadley and was an All-Big 12 selection and NCAA invitee in each of his three seasons in Stillwater.
Van Elden won 59 matches during his Cowboy career and was ranked as high as 13th in the ITA rankings. The Cowboys won 55 matches during his stay in Stillwater and hosted an NCAA Regional in 2005.
Successful in the Classroom
Over the summer, the Cowgirl tennis program was recognized by the ITA for its hard work in the classroom during the 2005-06 school year. The team was named an Academic All-American team for the fourth straight season and Zana Masnic, Lauren Simmons and Zuzanna Osinska were each named Academic All-Americans.
ITA Women's Hall of Fame
Former Cowgirl star Lori McNeil was inducted into the ITA Women's Hall of Fame Sept. 15 in Williamsburg, Va.
McNeil was an All-American in 1982 and was a three-time conference champion while a part of the Cowgirl program. McNeil went on to a successful 19-year pro career that featured 10 singles championships and 32 doubles titles. She also made a memorable run to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 1994 and was an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic team in 2004.
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