Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Tennis Takes On Wichita State
February 18, 2010 | Cowgirl Tennis
Feb. 18, 2010
The Basics
The No. 71 Oklahoma State women's tennis team travels to Oklahoma City Saturday to take on the Wichita State Shockers at 4 p.m. at the Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City. The match was originally scheduled to be played in Stillwater, but was moved to the country club due to anticipated cold weather.
About the Cowgirls
Oklahoma State enters the Wichita State match at 3-2, coming off a close 4-3 loss to No. 30 Southern Methodist in Dallas, Texas. In the Cowgirls' prior match, they upset No. 61 Utah in Tulsa, 4-3. The Cowgirls dropped their season-opening dual match Jan. 23 to No. 19 Arkansas, 7-0, before responding with a 6-1 win over Saint Louis the following day. Oklahoma State earned another win two weeks ago, knocking off Central Oklahoma, 7-0. The Cowgirls never lost a set in the match.
About the Opponents
Wichita State is 2-4 in 2010 and defeated Penn State 6-1 in its match Saturday. The Shockers have kept it close in their losses, losing three matches by a 4-3 score. WSU returns four letterwinners from a team that won the MVC Conference Championship in 2009 and finished with a record of 21-6. Oklahoma State holds an 18-3 all time series advantage over the Shockers.
Last Time Out
In Oklahoma State's latest competition, the Cowgirls dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to No. 30 SMU. The Cowgirls had a great effort from Malika Rose and Alexandra Cristello at No. 5 and 6 singles, respectively, to tie the match at 3-3, but surrendered the doubles point, which was played at the end of the match, to give the Mustangs the win.
Cowgirls in the Rankings
The Cowgirl tennis team made its debut in the 2010 ITA team rankings on Feb. 12, when they received a ranking of No. 73. In the Feb. 18 edition, Oklahoma State climbed two spots to No. 71. Sasha Belova and Nataliya Shatkovskaya are also leaving an Oklahoma State mark on the rankings, as the pair was voted the No. 48 doubles team in the ITA poll.
Up Next
After their match against the Shockers, the Cowgirls will play their first home dual match of 2010, facing Denver on March 5 in Stillwater, Okla.
Quoting Chris Young
“I am excited for our girls to get back on the court and compete. It will be a tough match against a very good Wichita State team that I know very well. Our girls continue to improve everyday and I am excited that our fans will have the opportunity to come and see the progress of our team and give them great support.”
