Top-Ranked UNC Eliminates Cowgirls in Sweet 16

Saturday, May 11

1 PM

Oklahoma State University

UNC

May 11, 2019 | Cowgirl Tennis

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.– The Oklahoma State women's tennis (21-8; 8-1 Big 12) team concluded team play on Saturday in a 4-2 loss to No. 1 North Carolina that came down to third sets on two courts.

Following a tough loss in OSU's bout with Miami, Lisa Marie Rioux rebounded, taking down No. 7 Alexa Graham, 6-4, 6-3, marking only the second dual loss for the Tar Heel this season. Rioux capped off the season with 19 wins and four against ranked opponents.

"Lisa played really well," coach Chris Young said. "We learned a few things the first time we played, and Lisa played with a great identity and great strategy. She was very coachable and made the plays and adjustments at the right time."

The doubles point proved crucial for North Carolina. The Tar Heels remain perfect in doubles point competition, but the Cowgirls pushed them on each court. No. 31 Sofia Blanco and Catherine Gulihur handed second-ranked Alexa Graham and Jessie Aney their second dual loss this year, 6-4. The point came down court three, where Bunyawi Thamchaiwat and Tamara Arnold fell to UNC's Sara Daavettila and Alle Sanford, 5-7.

Gulihur dominated Sanford in singles, taking the bout in two sets, 6-4, 6-1. Cowgirl seniors Marina Guinart and Blanco dropped their singles matches, and Katarina Stresnakova lost to No. 5 Makenna Jones in hard-fought match that came down to the third set.

"I think we accomplished some really great things… getting to this round is obviously an accomplishment" Young said. "Today we were right there with the best team in the country, and I think this team had the potential to beat anyone when we were playing our best."

Stresnakova, Blanco and Gulihur will all compete in the upcoming NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in Orlando, Fla., from May 20-25. Stresnakova will compete in singles as one of 49 at-large bids. Senior-freshman duo and No. 31 tandem Blanco and Gulihur also received an at-large bid and look to improve upon their 14-4 season record.

No. 15 OSU 1, No. 1 UNC 4
May 11, 2019 | Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center | Chapel Hill, N.C.

Order of finish: Singles (3, 6, 5, 2, 1)
1. No. 5 Makenna Jones def. No. 25 Katarina Stresnakova (OSU) 7-6(4), 4-6, 0-6
2. Lisa Marie Rioux (OSU) def. No. 7 Alexa Graham (UNC) 6-4, 6-3
3. No. 20 Sara Daavettila def. No. 96 Marina Guinart (OSU) 6-2, 6-0
4. No. 94 Bunyawi Thamchaiwat (OSU) vs. No. 46 Cameron Morra (UNC) 5-7, 6-4, 4-1 unf
5. Jessie Aney (UNC) def. Sofia Blanco (OSU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Catherine Gulihur (OSU) def. Alle Sanford 6-4, 6-1

Order of finish: Doubles (1, 2, 3)
1. No. 31 Blanco/Gulihur (OSU) def. No. 2 Aney/Graham (UNC) 6-4
2. No. 12 Jones/Morra (UNC) def. Stresnakova/Guinart (OSU) 6-4
3. Daavettila/Sanford (UNC) def. Thamchaiwat/Arnold (OSU) 7-5