Cowgirl Tennis Edged by Texas Tech in Big 12 Semifinals

Saturday, April 28

Austin, TX

3 P.M.

Oklahoma State University

Texas Tech

Image Taken at the Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Florida Gators Tennis Match, Wednesday, February 7, 2018, Greenwood Tennis Center, Stillwater, OK. Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

April 28, 2018 | Cowgirl Tennis

AUSTIN, Texas – The Oklahoma State women's tennis team came up short in a 4-1 Big 12 semifinal match against No. 14 Texas Tech Saturday at the Texas Tennis Center.

The Cowgirls came up just short in a tightly-contested doubles point that was decided by a tiebreaker on court two.

After the Red Raiders struck first with a win on court three, the Cowgirls picked up a win from Vladica Babic and Sofia Blanco on court one. The OSU tandem tallied a dominant, 6-2 win over No. 21 Sabrina Federici and Sarah Dvorak for their 12^th-straight triumph.

On court two, Cowgirls Katarina Stresnakova and Marina Guinart were locked up in a back-and-forth battle with Felicity Maltby and Gabriela Talaba to decide the doubles point. OSU led, 6-5, but Maltby and Talaba were able to tie it up at six games apiece to force a tiebreaker. The tiebreaker, like the match itself, went back and forth with a number of lead changes; however, it was the Texas Tech tandem that came up on the high side, winning, 11-9, to take the early lead.

"We told the girls that doubles was going to set the tone this match," head coach Chris Young said. "They set the tone last match blitzing us in doubles and we didn't play as well. We worked on it, and I think Katie and Marina have come a long way. Sofia and Vladi have really been steady. Since we put them back together in the middle of the season they haven't lost. Credit to them for being a rock for us at the No. 1 spot and giving us a chance to win No. 2 or No. 3.

"At No. 2 doubles, we had some match points there and both teams went for the shots. (Texas Tech) made the shots when they needed to. Anytime there is an 11-9 tiebreaker, there are always great points that it takes to win it. I think doubles definitely did set the tone for the match. We don't have a great margin for error and we knew doubles was going to be the key today."

Texas Tech added two more points to open singles play, picking up straight-set wins over Katarina Stresnakova at No. 3 and Saralyn Dyer at No. 6.

Megan McCray got the Cowgirls on the board at No. 2, defeating Alex Valenstein, in a 6-3, 6-1 match for her 13^thconsecutive victory. McCray is 17-1 in dual matches this season.

"It's unbelievable how dominant Megan has been," Young said. "To get that point and to play so well. We just couldn't scrape together another point today."

The Red Raiders sealed the match at No. 5, as No. 125 Sarah Dvorak defeated Cowgirl junior Sofia Blanco, 6-3, 6-2.

As the match was suspended, Vladica Babic was in a tiebreaker to decide the second set against No. 21 Gabriela Talaba after taking the first set, 6-2.

The Cowgirls will now await their NCAA Tournament selection. The selection show is set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT.

"I'm really proud of this team for what they've accomplished," Young said. "Now we get a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament, a chance to get another 20-win season. We have an opportunity to do that and to play in NCAA's at home."

No. 14 Texas Tech 4, No. 7 Oklahoma State 1
April 28, 2018 | Texas Tennis Center | Austin, Texas

Doubles | Order of finish: 3,1,2
1. #13 Vladica Babic/Sofia Blanco (OKST) def. #21 Sabrina Federici/Sarah Dvorak (TTU) 6-2
2. Felicity Maltby/Gabriela Talaba (TTU) def. Marina Guinart/Katarina Stresnakova (OKST) 7-6 (11-9)
3. Alex Valenstein/Katelyn Jackson (TTU) def. Megan McCray/Sami Court (OKST) 6-1

Singles | Order of finish: 6,3,2,5
1. #20 Vladica Babic (OKST) vs. #21 Gabriela Talaba (TTU) 6-2, 6-6, unfinished
2. #34 Megan McCray (OKST) def. Alex Valenstein (TTU) 6-3, 6-1
3. #56 Felicity Maltby (TTU) def. #112 Katarina Stresnakova (OKST) 6-2, 6-2
4. Marina Guinart (OKST) vs. #97 Sabrina Federici (TTU) 6-7 (1-7), 0-3, unfinished
5. #125 Sarah Dvorak (TTU) def. Sofia Blanco (OKST) 6-3, 6-2
6. #115 Katelyn Jackson (TTU) def. Saralyn Dyer (OKST) 6-0, 6-0