Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Host NCAA Regional
May 08, 2015 | Cowgirl Tennis
The Basics
The 12th-ranked Oklahoma State women's tennis team will host an NCAA regional in Stillwater for the first time in program history this weekend, bringing in No. 27 Arizona State, No. 39 Arkansas and Boston U. The Cowgirls serve as the No. 1-seed and will face BU in the first round on May 9 at 1 p.m. Should they advance, the Cowgirls will take on the winner of the Arizona State/Arkansas match on May 10 at 1 p.m. in the second round. The winner of that match will move on to the Sweet 16 in Waco, Texas.
This weekend's event will feature traditional ad scoring in singles and doubles as well as an eight-game pro set in doubles.
Ticket Details
Tickets can be purchased at the gate. They are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Show your women's tennis NCAA Regional ticket at the gates at Cowboy Baseball and get free general admission seating on Saturday and Sunday.
Keep Up with the Tournament
Fans can keep up with regional action through live stats on okstate.com or by following @CowgirlTennis on Twitter for updates throughout the match.
In the ITA Rankings
The Cowgirls find themselves in the top 15 for the 12th week in a row at the No. 12-spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. Arizona State holds a No. 27 ranking and Arkansas is No. 39. Boston U. is not ranked.  Â
Two Cowgirls are featured in the singles poll including sophomore All-American Viktoriya Lushkova at No. 17 and freshman Vladica Babic is ranked No. 99. Three other ranked singles players come to Stillwater this weekend in No. 49 Yuliya Lysa of Arkansas, and No. 30 Desirae Krawczyk and No. 116 Leighann Sahagun of Arizona State.
Lushkova and doubles partner Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, pair up as the nation's 12th-ranked doubles team. Arkansas brings in a No. 32 doubles team, while ASU brings in a No. 26 and No. 49 team. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Last Time Out
The Pokes are coming off a semifinals appearance at the Big 12 Championships. They defeated sixth-seeded Kansas, 4-0, in the quarterfinals for a chance to take on No. 2-seed Texas Tech in the semis. Tech won the doubles point and maintained the edge over the Cowgirls, winning 4-1.Â
No. 2 Texas Tech 4, No. 3 Oklahoma State 1
April 25, 2014 :: Hurd Tennis Center (Waco, Texas)
Doubles | Order of finish: 1,2
1. #47 Kenna Kilgo/Gabriella Talaba (TTU) def. Kelsey Laurente/Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) 7-5
2. Lynn Kiro/Sabrina Federici (TTU) def. Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic (OSU) 7-5
3. Carla Tur Mari/Maria Alvarez (OSU) vs. Sarah Dvorak/Katelyn Jackson (TTU) 6-6, unfinished
Singles | Order of finish: 2,3,4*
1. #16 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) vs. #69 Kenna Kilgo (TTU) 6-3, 7-5, 1-0 unfinished
2. Gabriella Talaba (TTU) def. #124 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) 6-1, 6-2
3. #114 Sarah Dvorak (TTU) def. Kelsey Laurente (OSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. #73 Lynn Kiro (TTU) def. #97 Vladica Babic (OSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
5. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) vs. Sabrina Federici (TTU) 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 unfinished
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) def. Katelyn Jackson (TTU) 7-6 (3), 6-1
Becoming Regulars
The Cowgirls are becoming regulars to the NCAA tournament. OSU is making its fourth-straight appearance to the big dance for the first time since the 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 seasons. This marks their 17th overall appearance.
Lushkova and Laurente Selected for NCAAs
Oklahoma State women's tennis players Viktoriya Lushkova and Kelsey Laurente have been selected to compete in this year's NCAA individual tennis championships, which will be held May 20-25 in Waco, Texas.
Lushkova and Laurente will compete in a 32-team doubles draw, and Lushkova will also compete individually in a 64-player singles draw.
Receiving All-American status in 2014, Lushkova will make back-to-back NCAA singles appearances. The sophomore compiled a 10-3 record for the Cowgirls this spring, competing at the No. 1 spot.
Lushkova and Laurente, who went 8-6 as a duo, give the program its second qualifying doubles team since 2002. The last Cowgirl pair to earn a spot in the tournament was Malika Rose and Kanyapat Narattana in 2013.
Four Cowgirls Earn Big 12 Honors
Sophomore Viktoriya Lushkova was named Big 12 Conference Co-Player of the Year. She shares this honor with Ema Burgic from Baylor. Earning another annual award was Cowgirl Kelsey Laurente, who was named the Big 12's Newcomer of the Year.
Lushkova was also named to the All-Big 12 singles team for the second year in a row. She is joined by teammate Katarina Adamovic.
Two Cowgirl duos were named to the All-Big 12 doubles team. Lushkova and Laurente went 22-8 as a pair and Adamovic and Vladica Babic have compiled a 25-7 record, with seven wins coming in conference competition.
Shut Them Down
Oklahoma State has produced 14 shut outs this season. The Cowgirls have shut out the opponent in six of their last seven matches, including a 4-0 shutout of the Jayhawks in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships.
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 5-1 record in true road matches and a 5-3 mark at neutral sites. The Cowgirls improved to 10-4 in matches away from the Greenwood Tennis Center after defeating Kansas at the Big 12 Championships in Waco, Texas.
New Highs
Oklahoma State's women's tennis squad jumped to the No. 8-spot earlier in the season 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 12th-consecutive week in the top 15.
Two Cowgirls also set school records in singles and doubles rankings. Viktoriya Lushkova became the highest ranked singles player in program history when she earned a No. 10 ranking on Jan. 6. Lushkova and partner Kelsey Laurente also became the highest ranked doubles team in the program when they were tabbed as the No. 3 team on Feb. 10.
The Cowgirls wrapped up the regular season by recording their first 20-win season since 2001. The Cowgirls have compiled an 80.7 win percentage so far this season.
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 63-32 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 21-5 record coming into the weekend, but the number in the loss column doesn't define the Cowgirls' season. Of the 26 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.
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.
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
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The 12th-ranked Oklahoma State women's tennis team will host an NCAA regional in Stillwater for the first time in program history this weekend, bringing in No. 27 Arizona State, No. 39 Arkansas and Boston U. The Cowgirls serve as the No. 1-seed and will face BU in the first round on May 9 at 1 p.m. Should they advance, the Cowgirls will take on the winner of the Arizona State/Arkansas match on May 10 at 1 p.m. in the second round. The winner of that match will move on to the Sweet 16 in Waco, Texas.
This weekend's event will feature traditional ad scoring in singles and doubles as well as an eight-game pro set in doubles.
Ticket Details
Tickets can be purchased at the gate. They are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Show your women's tennis NCAA Regional ticket at the gates at Cowboy Baseball and get free general admission seating on Saturday and Sunday.
Keep Up with the Tournament
Fans can keep up with regional action through live stats on okstate.com or by following @CowgirlTennis on Twitter for updates throughout the match.
In the ITA Rankings
The Cowgirls find themselves in the top 15 for the 12th week in a row at the No. 12-spot in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. Arizona State holds a No. 27 ranking and Arkansas is No. 39. Boston U. is not ranked.  Â
Two Cowgirls are featured in the singles poll including sophomore All-American Viktoriya Lushkova at No. 17 and freshman Vladica Babic is ranked No. 99. Three other ranked singles players come to Stillwater this weekend in No. 49 Yuliya Lysa of Arkansas, and No. 30 Desirae Krawczyk and No. 116 Leighann Sahagun of Arizona State.
Lushkova and doubles partner Laurente, a transfer from the University of Miami, pair up as the nation's 12th-ranked doubles team. Arkansas brings in a No. 32 doubles team, while ASU brings in a No. 26 and No. 49 team. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Last Time Out
The Pokes are coming off a semifinals appearance at the Big 12 Championships. They defeated sixth-seeded Kansas, 4-0, in the quarterfinals for a chance to take on No. 2-seed Texas Tech in the semis. Tech won the doubles point and maintained the edge over the Cowgirls, winning 4-1.Â
No. 2 Texas Tech 4, No. 3 Oklahoma State 1
April 25, 2014 :: Hurd Tennis Center (Waco, Texas)
Doubles | Order of finish: 1,2
1. #47 Kenna Kilgo/Gabriella Talaba (TTU) def. Kelsey Laurente/Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) 7-5
2. Lynn Kiro/Sabrina Federici (TTU) def. Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic (OSU) 7-5
3. Carla Tur Mari/Maria Alvarez (OSU) vs. Sarah Dvorak/Katelyn Jackson (TTU) 6-6, unfinished
Singles | Order of finish: 2,3,4*
1. #16 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) vs. #69 Kenna Kilgo (TTU) 6-3, 7-5, 1-0 unfinished
2. Gabriella Talaba (TTU) def. #124 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) 6-1, 6-2
3. #114 Sarah Dvorak (TTU) def. Kelsey Laurente (OSU) 6-2, 6-4
4. #73 Lynn Kiro (TTU) def. #97 Vladica Babic (OSU) 2-6, 6-1, 6-3
5. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) vs. Sabrina Federici (TTU) 3-6, 6-3, 5-2 unfinished
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) def. Katelyn Jackson (TTU) 7-6 (3), 6-1
Becoming Regulars
The Cowgirls are becoming regulars to the NCAA tournament. OSU is making its fourth-straight appearance to the big dance for the first time since the 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 seasons. This marks their 17th overall appearance.
Lushkova and Laurente Selected for NCAAs
Oklahoma State women's tennis players Viktoriya Lushkova and Kelsey Laurente have been selected to compete in this year's NCAA individual tennis championships, which will be held May 20-25 in Waco, Texas.
Lushkova and Laurente will compete in a 32-team doubles draw, and Lushkova will also compete individually in a 64-player singles draw.
Receiving All-American status in 2014, Lushkova will make back-to-back NCAA singles appearances. The sophomore compiled a 10-3 record for the Cowgirls this spring, competing at the No. 1 spot.
Lushkova and Laurente, who went 8-6 as a duo, give the program its second qualifying doubles team since 2002. The last Cowgirl pair to earn a spot in the tournament was Malika Rose and Kanyapat Narattana in 2013.
Four Cowgirls Earn Big 12 Honors
Sophomore Viktoriya Lushkova was named Big 12 Conference Co-Player of the Year. She shares this honor with Ema Burgic from Baylor. Earning another annual award was Cowgirl Kelsey Laurente, who was named the Big 12's Newcomer of the Year.
Lushkova was also named to the All-Big 12 singles team for the second year in a row. She is joined by teammate Katarina Adamovic.
Two Cowgirl duos were named to the All-Big 12 doubles team. Lushkova and Laurente went 22-8 as a pair and Adamovic and Vladica Babic have compiled a 25-7 record, with seven wins coming in conference competition.
Shut Them Down
Oklahoma State has produced 14 shut outs this season. The Cowgirls have shut out the opponent in six of their last seven matches, including a 4-0 shutout of the Jayhawks in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championships.
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 5-1 record in true road matches and a 5-3 mark at neutral sites. The Cowgirls improved to 10-4 in matches away from the Greenwood Tennis Center after defeating Kansas at the Big 12 Championships in Waco, Texas.
New Highs
Oklahoma State's women's tennis squad jumped to the No. 8-spot earlier in the season 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 12th-consecutive week in the top 15.
Two Cowgirls also set school records in singles and doubles rankings. Viktoriya Lushkova became the highest ranked singles player in program history when she earned a No. 10 ranking on Jan. 6. Lushkova and partner Kelsey Laurente also became the highest ranked doubles team in the program when they were tabbed as the No. 3 team on Feb. 10.
The Cowgirls wrapped up the regular season by recording their first 20-win season since 2001. The Cowgirls have compiled an 80.7 win percentage so far this season.
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 63-32 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 21-5 record coming into the weekend, but the number in the loss column doesn't define the Cowgirls' season. Of the 26 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.
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.
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
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Players Mentioned
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