Cowgirls Cruise Past Red Raiders

Friday, April 15

Stillwater, Oklahoma

3 P.M.

Oklahoma State University

Texas Tech

Photo by: OSU Athletics

April 15, 2016 | Cowgirl Tennis

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State's women's tennis team maintained the top spot in the Big 12 Conference with a 4-0 sweep against No. 14 Texas Tech at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center on Friday.

"We pride ourselves on playing well at home and to get this match against Texas Tech, a team that we felt like we didn't play well against last year," coach Chris Young said. "We wanted to send a statement that we're the team to beat in the league this year."

The Cowgirls (18-4; 6-0 Big 12) pushed their win streak to seven matches and improved to 12-0 inside the Greenwood Tennis Center.

OSU is one of four teams to have three doubles pairings ranked nationally and the Cowgirls showed why on Friday.

Carla Tur Mari and Viktoriya Lushkova took care of business on court two with a 6-0 victory against Alex Valenstein and Sabrina Federici. The junior duo, ranked No. 50, improved to 20-1 in dual matches this season.

After splitting the first four games at the No. 3 position, Katarina Adamovic and Vladica Babic won the deuce point to go up 3-2 and never looked back. Adamovic and Babic, ranked No. 54, defeated Sarah Dvorak and Falicity Maltby, 6-4.

"I thought this was our most complete match as team," Young said. "I thought everybody played well."

Maria Alvarez and Kelsey Laurente were up 5-4 against Lynn Kiro and Gabriela Talaba before doubles play was suspended.

"Every girl played a big part of this in singles and doubles and I think that's why it is so special," Young said. "It was a complete team win."

Lushkova continued to dominate at the No. 3 position for the Cowgirls. The All-American improved to 16-1 in singles play with a straight-set victory against Valenstein, 6-2, 6-2. Lushkova put the Cowgirls ahead 2-0 with her seventh-straight victory.

"I think Viktoriya [Lushkova] is playing unbelievable right now and she was very focused," Young said.

Babic, ranked No. 44, gave the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead on court two against No. 119 Talaba. Babic's win total is now in double digits after the victory, 7-5, 6-2.

"I thought I played well today and every time the team wins, I'm happy," Babic said.

The Cowgirls looked to complete the sweep on one of the remaining courts and once again Laurente answered. Despite having to come from behind after the first set, Laurente responded when the Cowgirls needed her. The senior defeated Maltby, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

"When Kelsey [Laurente] wins, we win, I mean that's just a fact," Young said. "In the third set she played unbelievable tennis and she wasn't going to miss a ball."

The Cowgirl senior said the support of the team helped her focus on clinching the match.

"All of my coaches were telling me to stay positive and I did my best to stay positive, even when I was down," Laurente said.

The Cowgirls will return to action on Sunday at the Greenwood Tennis Center, as they host No. 33 TCU at 1 p.m. for senior day. The match will also serve host to College Match Day and will be televised on Fox Sports 2.

No. 15 Oklahoma State 4 vs. No. 14 Texas Tech 0
Singles competition | Order of Finish: 3, 2, 4
1. #47 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) vs. #88 Sarah Dvorak (TTU) 4-6, 6-1, 2-1, unfinished
2. #44 Vladica Babic (OSU) def. #119 Gabriela Talaba (TTU) 7-5, 6-2
3. #65 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) def. Alex Valenstein (TTU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Kelsey Laurente (OSU) def. Felicity Maltby (TTU) 5-7, 6-2, 6-2
5. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) vs. Sabrina Federici (TTU) 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0, unfinished
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) vs. Katelyn Jackson (TTU) 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 1-1, unfinished
Doubles competition | Order of Finish: 2, 3
1. Maria Alvarez/Kelsey Laurente (OSU) def. Gabriela Talaba/Lynn Kiro (TTU) 5-4 unf.
2. #50 Viktoriya Lushkova/Carla Tur Mari (OSU) def. Alex Valenstein/Sabrina Federici (TTU) 6-0
3. #54 Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic (OSU) def. Sarah Dvorak/Felicity Maltby (TTU) 6-4