Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Primed for ITA Central Regional Championships
October 15, 2013 | Cowgirl Tennis
Oct. 15, 2013
STILLWATER -
The Oklahoma State women's tennis team is set to compete at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Regional Championships in Norman, Okla., this weekend. Competition is scheduled to begin Friday, Oct. 18, and wrap up on Monday, Oct. 21. The singles and doubles champions from this weekend's tournament will receive an automatic bid to the 2013 USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in Flushing, N.Y., in November. This weekend's draws will be released as soon as they are made available.
The Tournament Field
The ITA Central Regional Championships will feature players from 19 schools in the ITA Central region, including Arkansas, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Drake, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oral Roberts, Saint Louis, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, Tulsa and Wichita State.
Something to See in the 913
Last month, the Cowgirl tennis team traveled to Kansas City, Mo., to compete at the Missouri Invitational. Oklahoma State had a successful weekend at the tournament, with Cowgirls taking home both the singles and doubles individual titles.
Freshman Megan McCray was crowned singles champion after going 3-0 on the weekend and defeating one ranked opponent in No. 72 Cierra Gaytan-Leach. Cowgirls Kanyapat Narattana and Carla Tur Mari took the doubles title after going 4-1 at the tournament and defeating the 32nd-ranked team in the nation. The Cowgirls had a successful weekend overall, posting a combined 10-9 record in singles and a 9-4 mark in doubles on the weekend.
Cowgirls in the Rankings
The Oklahoma State women's tennis doubles team of senior Kanyapat Narattana and freshman Carla Tur Mari are slotted as the 47th-ranked doubles team in the nation, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason rankings.
Eyeing the Opponents
This weekend's tournament field features seven players that appear in the ITA singles rankings and four doubles teams slotted in the ITA doubles rankings. Kansas State's Petra Niedermayerova enters the weekend as the favorite in singles, slotted as the 12th-ranked player in the nation, while Hermon Brhane and Whitney Ritchie of Oklahoma are the tournament's top-ranked doubles team at No. 4.
Fresh Faces
The 2013 fall season brings several changes to the Cowgirl tennis roster. The team returns three players from the spring campaign but head coach Chris Young brought on five newcomers to the squad over the summer. The newcomers include sophomore transfer from Kansas State Miranda Erisman, as well as freshmen Megan McCray, Morgan McCray, Mariah Burke and Carla Tur Mari.
Among the new faces is first year assistant coach Courtney Steinbock. Steinbock, a native of Lubbock, Texas, was brought into the program earlier this summer after spending three years as assistant coach at Mississippi State. Steinbock has also held positions at Wichita State, Washington State and her alma mater, the University of Kansas.
Racking Up Wins
Cowgirl Senior Kanyapat Narattana currently sits at No. 12 on the list for most overall wins in the Big 12 era with 52 wins. Narattana sits three wins behind Martina Hautova for the 11th spot on the list and five wins behind Lauren Simmons for tenth. If Narattana breaks the top ten, she would be the second Cowgirl recruited and coached by Chris Young to do so. Malika Rose broke the top ten last season and finished her career in eighth place on the list with 63 wins.
A Win's a Win
Cowgirl junior Karyn Guttormsen had a solid dual season competing in the six spot for Oklahoma State in 2013, recording a 14-8 mark. The Cowgirls posted a 12-2 record in matches where Guttormsen took the victory.
Keeping the Streak Alive
Over the past couple of seasons, senior Cowgirl Kanyapat Narattana and former teammate Malika Rose have become staples in the ITA doubles rankings, reaching as high as No. 14 in last fall's preseason rankings. Although Rose is gone, Narattana is featured in the 2013-14 preseason rankings, along with freshman Carla Tur Mari. The last time Narattana didn't appear in the ITA doubles rankings was March 27, 2012.
