Oklahoma State University Athletics
Four Cowgirls to Compete at USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational
October 22, 2013 | Cowgirl Tennis
Oct. 22, 2013
STILLWATER -
Four members of the Oklahoma State women's tennis team will travel to Orlando, Fla., this weekend to compete at the USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational. Senior Kanyapat Narattana and sophomore Maria Alvarez, as well as freshmen Megan McCray and Carla Tur Mari will represent the Cowgirls at the tournament. Portions of the tournament will be broadcast on ESPN3.
Tournament Field
The USTA Collegiate Clay Court Invitational tournament field features players from ten schools, including: Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M, Duke, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech, Tulsa, New Mexico, Central Florida and the host school Florida State.
Last Time Out
The Cowgirls are coming off of a successful outing at the ITA Central Region Championships in Norman, Okla., last weekend. Senior Kanyapat Narattana provided the highlight of the weekend, winning six matches in the singles draw to take home the tournament singles title. With the win, Narattana became the first Cowgirl in the Big 12 era to win a regional singles title. Freshman Megan McCray also had a strong showing, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling in a tough three-set match to fourth-seeded Hermon Brhane of Oklahoma. The two freshmen, McCray and Carla Tur Mari, combined to win eight of their 10 matches at the tournament.
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
The Cowgirls will face some of the best in the nation this weekend, as the tournament field features 22 players ranked in the ITA singles rankings and eight doubles teams ranked in the ITA doubles rankings. The tournament also features two players included in the ITA freshman/newcomer rankings.
Lighting 'Em Up
Cowgirl Senior Kanyapat Narattana has been on fire of late, having won seven straight matches, including two against ranked opponents. Of those seven victories, five came in straight sets. Narattana has posted a 9-4 overall singles record this fall, and hopes to add more wins to that mark this weekend in Orlando.
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
With her tournament run last weekend, Cowgirl senior Kanyapat Narattana catapulted herself into the program's ninth spot on the overall singles wins list in the Big 12 era with 58 wins. Narattana becomes the second Cowgirl recruited and coached by Chris Young to do win her way into a top ten spot on the list. Malika Rose broke the top ten last season, and finished her career tied for seventh 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.
