Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls to Wrap Up Regular Season In Iowa, West Virginia
April 16, 2015 | Cowgirl Tennis
The Basics
The 10th-ranked Oklahoma State women's tennis team travels to Ames, Iowa and Morgantown, W.Va., this weekend to close out the regular season. OSU meets up with the Cyclones on Friday at 3 p.m., before taking on the Mountaineers on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Keep Up with the Match
Fans can follow all the action this weekend through updates on Twitter by following @CowgirlTennis. Live stats will be available for the Iowa State match on Cyclones.com. There will not be live stats for the match against West Virginia.
In the ITA Rankings
The Cowgirls find themselves in the top 10 for the second week in a row at the No. 10-spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. This marks the 10th consecutive week the Pokes have been in the top 15. Both Iowa State and West Virginia are unranked.
Three Cowgirls are featured in the singles poll including sophomore All-American Viktoriya Lushkova at No. 16, No. 103 Katarina Adamovic and No. 109 Katarina Adamovic. Neither the Cyclones nor the Mountaineers have any players ranked in singles.
Lushkova and doubles partner Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, pair up as the nation's 12th-ranked doubles team. Iowa State and West Virginia do not have any doubles teams ranked.
Last Time Out
The Cowgirls hosted their final two home games last weekend, bringing in Kansas and Kansas State. OSU put up 4-0 wins on both teams to improve to 18-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
No. 9 Oklahoma State 4, Kansas State 0
April 12, 2015 :: Stillwater, Okla. (Greenwood Tennis Center)
Doubles | Order of finish: 3,2,1
1. Lushkova/Guttormsen (OSU) def. Juhasz/Costamagna (KS) 6-4
2. Cirnu/Bago (KS) def. #67 Adamovic/Babic (OSU) 6-3
3. Tur Mari/Alvarez (OSU) def. St. Hill/Panaite (KS) 6-1
Singles | Order of finish: 6,5,3*
1. #18 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) vs. Carolina Costamagna (KS) 6-4, 2-3, unf.
2. #109 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) vs. Palma Juhasz (KS) 6-4, 2-3, unf.
3. #122 Kelsey Laurente (OSU) def. Iva Bago (KS) 6-1, 6-2
4. Karyn Guttormsen (OSU) vs. Livia Cirnu (KS) 6-2, 1-6, 1-2, unf.Â
5. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) def. Maria Panaite (KS) 6-0, 6-2
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) def. Riley Nizzi (KS) 6-2, 6-1
Series History vs. Opponents
Oklahoma State has not lost a single match against this weekend's opponents. The Cowgirls hold a 39-0 record against Iowa State in a series dating back to 1980. In their last meeting with the Cyclones, the Cowgirls notched a 6-1 win. Against the Mountaineers, OSU is 2-0. In both meetings against WVU the Cowgirls dominated, picking up a 7-0 win in 2013 and a 6-1 win in 2014.
What's Going On in the Big 12
The Cowgirls are currently fourth in the Big 12 standings with a 5-2 conference record. Leading the Big 12 is Texas Tech who is 7-1 in conference play, including a tight 4-3 win against the Cowgirls in Lubbock, Texas. In the No. 2 and 3 spots are Baylor and TCU, respectively. The Cowgirls have the second-most overall wins this season with 18, trailing Baylor (20).
The Greenwood Effect
The Cowgirls wrapped up a dominant home season, compiling an 11-1 record at the Greenwood Tennis Center. In addition to the magnificent home record, the Cowgirls have outscored their opponents at home, 54-6, surrendering only six team points on the season. The Cowgirls had key home victories against Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.
Road Killers
OSU has performed just as well on the road this season, stringing together a 3-1 record in true road matches and a 4-2 mark at neutral sites. The Cowgirls look to improve to 9-3 in matches away from the Greenwood Tennis Center when they face Iowa State and West Virginia on the road this weekend.
Babic Tearing Up Spring
Cowgirl freshman Vladica Babic has dominated the spring season compiling a 13-2 record. The Montenegro native has hit her stride since being placed at the No. 4 spot in the lineup. Babic has earned a spot in the singles poll at No. 106 by winning eight of her last nine completed matches, including a win against No. 60 Lynn Kiro of Texas Tech.
New Highs
Oklahoma State's women's tennis squad jumped to the No. 8-spot last month in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's rankings, making it the highest ranking ever for the Cowgirl Tennis program. This week, the Cowgirls are enjoying their ninth-consecutive week in the top 15.
This season has brought other new experiences for the program as OSU made its first appearance in the ITA Indoor Team Championships after going undefeated at the ITA Kickoff Weekend event in January.
Alvarez Gets 50
Junior Maria Alvarez notched her 50th singles win earlier in the season, defeating Katelyn Jackson of Texas Tech in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. She now holds a career record of 60-32 and is tied for 10th in singles wins during the Big 12 era for the Cowgirls.
Success Against the Best
Oklahoma State has compiled a 18-4 record coming into the weekend, but the number in the loss column doesn't define the Cowgirls' season. Of the 22 matches the Cowgirls have played this season, 18 were against ranked opponents. The Cowgirls have surpassed tough tests against No. 24 Ole Miss, No. 29 Texas Tech, No. 31/32 Oklahoma (twice), No. 31 New Mexico, No. 35 Tulsa, No. 41 Arkansas, No. 47 SMU and No. 64 Rice. Most recently, the Pokes took out No. 32 Oklahoma. Oklahoma State has a 2-3 record against higher-ranked opponents, including upset wins against No. 18 Georgia Tech and No. 11 Vanderbilt.
ITA Attendance Race
The Cowgirls are ranked tenth in the ITA Attendance Race for their home matches during the month of March. With a total of 662 fans, the Pokes averaged 166 fans per match, which was the eighth highest during March. The Cowgirls are one of three Big 12 teams to crack the top 10, along with TCU and Texas Tech.
Oklahoma State ranks eighth in total attendance for the overall season and averages 153 fans (10th overall).
The ITA Attendance Race is a monthly program in which teams are recognized for getting fans in the stands. This exciting race offers schools a way to garner recognition and extra incentive to bolster support.
Follow Cowgirl Tennis
Stay up to date with the Oklahoma State women's tennis team on the following social media sites:
Twitter: @CowgirlTennis
Facebook: Oklahoma State Women's Tennis
Snapchat: OSUathletics
YouTube: youtube.com/osuathletics
The Squad
Coach Chris Young returns six Cowgirls from the 2013-14 season. Among them is Cowgirl standout Viktoriya Lushkova, who achieved All-America status last season as a freshman. Joining her is senior Karyn Guttormsen, who is primed for her third season with the team. Maria Alvarez also returns for her third season as she begins her junior season. Besides Lushkova, the Pokes have three other sophomores in the lineup, including Katarina Adamovic, Mariah Burke and Carla Tur Mari.
New to Oklahoma State is junior Kelsey Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, and freshman Vladica Babic of Montenegro.
Pluskota Joins the Coaching Staff
Oklahoma State Director of Tennis and women's head coach Chris Young announced the addition of Natalie Pluskota as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cowgirls.
Pluskota, a graduate from the University of Tennessee, was a four-time All-American, earning the doubles honor three times and the singles honor once. While a Lady Vol, she was ranked as high as No. 1 in doubles and No. 24 in singles in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.
After graduating from Tennessee, Pluskota went on to play professionally and has won four ITF doubles titles with five more finals appearances. She reached a No. 157 world ranking in doubles and a No. 478 world ranking in singles.
ITA Introduces New Dual Match Format
In December, the ITA Division I Operating Committee made changes to the dual match format so that it shortens the length of the match. Changes include:
-No-ad scoring in singles and doubles.
-Three doubles matches played, each match one set to 6, with a tie-break at 6-all.
-Followed (after a 5-minute intermission) by six singles matches, each match 2 out of 3 sets, with tie-breaks at 6-all.
-No warm-up with opponents (in doubles and in singles)
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The 10th-ranked Oklahoma State women's tennis team travels to Ames, Iowa and Morgantown, W.Va., this weekend to close out the regular season. OSU meets up with the Cyclones on Friday at 3 p.m., before taking on the Mountaineers on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Keep Up with the Match
Fans can follow all the action this weekend through updates on Twitter by following @CowgirlTennis. Live stats will be available for the Iowa State match on Cyclones.com. There will not be live stats for the match against West Virginia.
In the ITA Rankings
The Cowgirls find themselves in the top 10 for the second week in a row at the No. 10-spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. This marks the 10th consecutive week the Pokes have been in the top 15. Both Iowa State and West Virginia are unranked.
Three Cowgirls are featured in the singles poll including sophomore All-American Viktoriya Lushkova at No. 16, No. 103 Katarina Adamovic and No. 109 Katarina Adamovic. Neither the Cyclones nor the Mountaineers have any players ranked in singles.
Lushkova and doubles partner Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, pair up as the nation's 12th-ranked doubles team. Iowa State and West Virginia do not have any doubles teams ranked.
Last Time Out
The Cowgirls hosted their final two home games last weekend, bringing in Kansas and Kansas State. OSU put up 4-0 wins on both teams to improve to 18-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
No. 9 Oklahoma State 4, Kansas State 0
April 12, 2015 :: Stillwater, Okla. (Greenwood Tennis Center)
Doubles | Order of finish: 3,2,1
1. Lushkova/Guttormsen (OSU) def. Juhasz/Costamagna (KS) 6-4
2. Cirnu/Bago (KS) def. #67 Adamovic/Babic (OSU) 6-3
3. Tur Mari/Alvarez (OSU) def. St. Hill/Panaite (KS) 6-1
Singles | Order of finish: 6,5,3*
1. #18 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) vs. Carolina Costamagna (KS) 6-4, 2-3, unf.
2. #109 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) vs. Palma Juhasz (KS) 6-4, 2-3, unf.
3. #122 Kelsey Laurente (OSU) def. Iva Bago (KS) 6-1, 6-2
4. Karyn Guttormsen (OSU) vs. Livia Cirnu (KS) 6-2, 1-6, 1-2, unf.Â
5. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) def. Maria Panaite (KS) 6-0, 6-2
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) def. Riley Nizzi (KS) 6-2, 6-1
Series History vs. Opponents
Oklahoma State has not lost a single match against this weekend's opponents. The Cowgirls hold a 39-0 record against Iowa State in a series dating back to 1980. In their last meeting with the Cyclones, the Cowgirls notched a 6-1 win. Against the Mountaineers, OSU is 2-0. In both meetings against WVU the Cowgirls dominated, picking up a 7-0 win in 2013 and a 6-1 win in 2014.
What's Going On in the Big 12
The Cowgirls are currently fourth in the Big 12 standings with a 5-2 conference record. Leading the Big 12 is Texas Tech who is 7-1 in conference play, including a tight 4-3 win against the Cowgirls in Lubbock, Texas. In the No. 2 and 3 spots are Baylor and TCU, respectively. The Cowgirls have the second-most overall wins this season with 18, trailing Baylor (20).
The Greenwood Effect
The Cowgirls wrapped up a dominant home season, compiling an 11-1 record at the Greenwood Tennis Center. In addition to the magnificent home record, the Cowgirls have outscored their opponents at home, 54-6, surrendering only six team points on the season. The Cowgirls had key home victories against Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.
Road Killers
OSU has performed just as well on the road this season, stringing together a 3-1 record in true road matches and a 4-2 mark at neutral sites. The Cowgirls look to improve to 9-3 in matches away from the Greenwood Tennis Center when they face Iowa State and West Virginia on the road this weekend.
Babic Tearing Up Spring
Cowgirl freshman Vladica Babic has dominated the spring season compiling a 13-2 record. The Montenegro native has hit her stride since being placed at the No. 4 spot in the lineup. Babic has earned a spot in the singles poll at No. 106 by winning eight of her last nine completed matches, including a win against No. 60 Lynn Kiro of Texas Tech.
New Highs
Oklahoma State's women's tennis squad jumped to the No. 8-spot last month in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's rankings, making it the highest ranking ever for the Cowgirl Tennis program. This week, the Cowgirls are enjoying their ninth-consecutive week in the top 15.
This season has brought other new experiences for the program as OSU made its first appearance in the ITA Indoor Team Championships after going undefeated at the ITA Kickoff Weekend event in January.
Alvarez Gets 50
Junior Maria Alvarez notched her 50th singles win earlier in the season, defeating Katelyn Jackson of Texas Tech in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. She now holds a career record of 60-32 and is tied for 10th in singles wins during the Big 12 era for the Cowgirls.
Success Against the Best
Oklahoma State has compiled a 18-4 record coming into the weekend, but the number in the loss column doesn't define the Cowgirls' season. Of the 22 matches the Cowgirls have played this season, 18 were against ranked opponents. The Cowgirls have surpassed tough tests against No. 24 Ole Miss, No. 29 Texas Tech, No. 31/32 Oklahoma (twice), No. 31 New Mexico, No. 35 Tulsa, No. 41 Arkansas, No. 47 SMU and No. 64 Rice. Most recently, the Pokes took out No. 32 Oklahoma. Oklahoma State has a 2-3 record against higher-ranked opponents, including upset wins against No. 18 Georgia Tech and No. 11 Vanderbilt.
ITA Attendance Race
The Cowgirls are ranked tenth in the ITA Attendance Race for their home matches during the month of March. With a total of 662 fans, the Pokes averaged 166 fans per match, which was the eighth highest during March. The Cowgirls are one of three Big 12 teams to crack the top 10, along with TCU and Texas Tech.
Oklahoma State ranks eighth in total attendance for the overall season and averages 153 fans (10th overall).
The ITA Attendance Race is a monthly program in which teams are recognized for getting fans in the stands. This exciting race offers schools a way to garner recognition and extra incentive to bolster support.
Follow Cowgirl Tennis
Stay up to date with the Oklahoma State women's tennis team on the following social media sites:
Twitter: @CowgirlTennis
Facebook: Oklahoma State Women's Tennis
Snapchat: OSUathletics
YouTube: youtube.com/osuathletics
The Squad
Coach Chris Young returns six Cowgirls from the 2013-14 season. Among them is Cowgirl standout Viktoriya Lushkova, who achieved All-America status last season as a freshman. Joining her is senior Karyn Guttormsen, who is primed for her third season with the team. Maria Alvarez also returns for her third season as she begins her junior season. Besides Lushkova, the Pokes have three other sophomores in the lineup, including Katarina Adamovic, Mariah Burke and Carla Tur Mari.
New to Oklahoma State is junior Kelsey Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, and freshman Vladica Babic of Montenegro.
Pluskota Joins the Coaching Staff
Oklahoma State Director of Tennis and women's head coach Chris Young announced the addition of Natalie Pluskota as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cowgirls.
Pluskota, a graduate from the University of Tennessee, was a four-time All-American, earning the doubles honor three times and the singles honor once. While a Lady Vol, she was ranked as high as No. 1 in doubles and No. 24 in singles in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.
After graduating from Tennessee, Pluskota went on to play professionally and has won four ITF doubles titles with five more finals appearances. She reached a No. 157 world ranking in doubles and a No. 478 world ranking in singles.
ITA Introduces New Dual Match Format
In December, the ITA Division I Operating Committee made changes to the dual match format so that it shortens the length of the match. Changes include:
-No-ad scoring in singles and doubles.
-Three doubles matches played, each match one set to 6, with a tie-break at 6-all.
-Followed (after a 5-minute intermission) by six singles matches, each match 2 out of 3 sets, with tie-breaks at 6-all.
-No warm-up with opponents (in doubles and in singles)
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