Cowgirls Advance To Sweet 16

Saturday, May 14

Stillwater, Okla.

3 P.M.

Oklahoma State University

Tulsa

Photo by: OSU Athletics

May 14, 2016 | Cowgirl Tennis

STILLWATER – For the second-straight season the Oklahoma State women's tennis team has advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tennis Championship after a 4-0 victory against Tulsa at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center on Saturday.

"I thought it was a good match, I mean obviously anytime you play a team for the second time is good, but I thought we were able to come out and set the tone in doubles," OSU head coach Chris Young said. "Overall, I thought the girls did a really good job."

Saturday's win marked the second-straight season that the Cowgirls hosted the first and second rounds at home and advanced. The Cowgirls (26-4) now own a 15-match win streak dating back to March. OSU was a perfect 18-0 at home this season.

"I think it says we're tough to beat at home, but I think it says a lot about our fans and the support that we have," Young said. "We're just grateful for everybody that comes out and supports us, we have these great people supporting us and we hope that they come to Tulsa with us next weekend."

OSU swept the Tulsa in both meetings this season, outscoring the Golden Hurricane 8-0.

"Any time you play an in-state team there's probably a little more emotion than usual and there was a lot on the line today," Young said. "There's going to be high emotions when you have a lot at stake and teams want to advance, I think that's natural and it's just good competition."

Katarina Adamovic and Vladica Babic got the Cowgirls off to a hot start in doubles. The duo dominated Saana Saarteinen and Mahitha Daddireddy at the No. 3 position, earning a 6-2 victory.

The clinching point came courtesy of Viktoriya Lushkova and Carla Tur Mari at the No. 2 position. Lushkova and Tur Mari improved to 25-3 in the spring with a victory against Martha Matoula and Rongrong Leenabanchong, 6-3.

Kelsey Laurente finished the regional undefeated after knocking off Marcelina Cichon in straight sets. The Cowgirl only surrendered one game on her way to a 6-0, 6-1 victory to give the Cowgirls a 2-0 lead.

"Today gave me confidence in knowing that we could stay out on the court as long as possible," Laurente said. "I think it's important that our girls stay level-headed and calm in order to reach our goals."

Lushkova pushed the Cowgirl lead to three with a win against Leenabanchong at the No. 3 position. The Cowgirl did not lose a game in the first set on her way to a 6-0, 6-4 victory.

"It feels really good to have beaten [Tulsa] twice," Lushkova said. "It was good that we won and we played really well, everyone competed hard."

Katarina Adamovic secured a place in the Sweet 16 for the Cowgirls, as she defeated Saarteinen, who was ranked No. 86. The Cowgirl knocked off Saarteinen in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3.

"I knew it was going to be a physical match, [Saarteinen] is a grinder," Adamovic said. "I just kept my focus and I did what I needed to do."

#12 Oklahoma State 4, #28 Tulsa Golden Hurricane 0

Singles competition | Order of Finish: 4, 3, 1
1. #47 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) def. #86 Saana Saarteinen (TULSA) 7-5, 6-3
2. #44 Vladica Babic (OSU) vs. Ksenia Laskutova (TULSA) 6-3, 3-6, 4-1
3. #66 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) def. Rongrong Leenabanchong (TULSA) 6-0, 6-4
4. Kelsey Laurente (OSU) def. Marelina Cichon (TULSA) 6-0, 6-1
5. Katarina Stresnakova (OSU) vs. Renata Kuricova (TULSA), 7-6, 4-5
6. Martha Matoula (TULSA) vs. Carla Tur Mari (OSU) 6-4, 4-6, 4-0

Doubles competition | Order of Finish: 3, 2
1. #43 Maria Alvarez/Kelsey Laurente (OSU) vs. Ksenia Laskutova/Renata Kuricova (TULSA) 4-4, unfinished
2. #54 Viktoriya Lushkova/Carla Tur Mari (OSU) def. Martha Matoula/Rongrong Leenabanchong (TULSA) 6-3
3. #79 Katarina Adamovic/Vladica Babic (OSU) def. Saana Saarteinen/Mahitha Dadireddy (TULSA) 6-2