Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Set for Pair of Home Matches
March 25, 2010 | Cowgirl Tennis
March 25, 2010
The Basics
The No. 61 Oklahoma State women's tennis team begins a five-match home stand this weekend, taking on No. 65 Colorado Friday at 2 p.m. and Missouri Sunday at 1 p.m. Both matches will be played at the DeBois Tennis Complex.
Free for the Fans
Attendance is free at all home Cowgirl tennis matches. In addition to free admission for the matches this weekend, the first 50 fans at the Friday match against Colorado will receive one free Chick-fil-A sandwich, while fans at the Sunday match against Missouri will receive free pizza.
About the Cowgirls
Oklahoma State enters the match at 6-4 (0-2), coming off of conference losses to No. 1 Baylor and Texas Tech. The Cowgirls, who had won three consecutive matches over Wichita State, Denver and ORU before their loss to Baylor, are ranked No. 61 in the ITA team rankings. OSU has also beaten No. 46 Utah, 4-3, Saint Louis, 6-1, and Central Oklahoma, 7-0, in 2010.
About the Opponents
Colorado, ranked No. 65 in the ITA poll, enters the match at 7-6 (0-2). In addition to the team ranking, Colorado also makes an appearance in the ITA singles and doubles rankings, with Melisa Esposito ranked No. 110 and Monica Milewski ranked No. 121 in the singles poll and Camila Belassi and Esposito ranking as the No. 31 doubles team. The Buffalos are on a three-match losing streak and coming off of a 5-2 loss to South Carolina. Oklahoma State holds a 21-9 all-time series advantage over Colorado, with the Buffalos winning the last match in 2009, 4-3.
Missouri, which faces Oklahoma Friday night, enters the weekend with a 5-8 (0-2) record. The Tigers have won two straight matches, knocking off West Virginia, 6-1, and Houston, 7-0. Oklahoma State owns a 26-4 series advantage over Mizzou, with the Cowgirls winning the last match in 2009, 4-3.
Last Time Out
In Oklahoma State's last competition, the Cowgirls fell to Texas Tech, 5-1, at the McLeod Tennis Center in Lubbock, Texas. Although the Cowgirls lost five singles matches to start the day, senior Nataliya Shatkovskaya claimed a straight-set win over Texas Tech's Elizabeth Ullathorne, 7-5, 7-5. Since the match began with singles play and the dual result was decided, there was no doubles competition.
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. Oklahoma State has climbed consistently and has been ranked as high as No. 51, which is the Cowgirls' highest ranking since March 2007. In the most recent ITA rankings, OSU received the No. 61 spot.
Up Next
After the Cowgirls take on the Tigers, they complete their home stand with matches against Texas April 4, Tulsa April 6, and Texas A&M April 11.
Quoting Chris Young
On the match
“We are excited to be back at home this weekend for two Big 12 matches against good opponents. It is another opportunity for us to take a step forward, and I hope the fans will take advantage of the opportunity to support these girls.”
