Women's Tennis Downs Nebraska, 7-0

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 19 ranked Oklahoma women's tennis team and senior Anda Perianu (Braila, Romania) finished their last home match of the regular season Sunday, sweeping Nebraska, 7-0, at the OU Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman.

The win over Nebraska was the Sooners eighth straight victory and secured a No. 3 seed at the Big 12 Championships to be played in Norman next week. Perianu also recaptured her Big 12 No. 1 singles title after finishing off Big 12 play with a perfect record of 11-0.

Oklahoma moves to 20-3 overall and 9-2 in Big 12 play, while the Huskers fall to 15-8 overall and 5-6 in Big 12 play.

“I was happy with the way we went out there and got things done,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “It was a great way to finish off the regular season, especially for Anda winning the Big 12 No. 1 singles title for the second straight year with a record of 11-0 was incredible. Now we are really looking forward to hosting the Big 12 Tournament next week. We have a great shot at it and are really excited to be playing on our own home courts.”

The Sooners had tough competition in the doubles, winning at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. OU's 17th-ranked pair of Anda Perianu (Braila, Romaina) and Heather Saluri (Des Moines, Iowa) claimed their fifth straight win at No. 1, with an 8-1 victory over Nebraska's Leslie Harvey and Rose Katmayura.

Shortly after, OU's Jessica Braver (Edmond, Okla.) and Irina Lykina (Kazan,Russia) fell at No. 2, 8-1. With the doubles tied at, 1-1, OU's duo of Gabby Baker (Gold Coast, Australia) and Beth Griffin (Amarillo, Texas) jumped to an early lead of, 6-2, but Nebraska's team of Anna Oehme and Milena Shultz-Gartner came back to win five straight games to take a 7-6 lead.

Baker and Griffin rallied back to the take the match 9-7, clinching the doubles point for the Sooners at No. 3. Baker and Griffin's win was their eighth straight and they move to an overall record of 16-3 and 9-2 in the Big 12.

In singles play, Oklahoma dominated early, taking the first set in all six matches. The Sooners were led by fifth-ranked Perianu who defeated NU's 72nd-ranked Gitte Ostermann, 6-1, 6-0. Perianu's win leaves her undefeated in the Big 12 after regular season play with an impressive Big 12 record of 11-0 and 19-1 overall.

“It felt great to be able to defend my title,” said Perianu. “I feel like I have improved as a player and am glad to be able to play well for my team.”

Baker posted OU's next point with a straight set win over NU's Harvey at No. 3. Saluri then sealed the match, defeating Nebraska's Oehme, 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4. Braver and Lykina were next to finsh, both posting straight set victories for the Sooners at No. 5 and No. 2 singles respecitvely. Last on court was junior Bethany Griffin (Amarillo, Texas) who defeated NU's Katie Garcia in a third set super tie-break, 10-7.

The Sooners now prepare for the Big 12 Championships that begin on Thurs., April 29- Sun., May 2 at the Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman. The OU women's tennis team will recieve a bye in the first round and will play on Fri., April 30. The time and opponent is yet to be decided.

No. 19 Oklahoma 7, Nebraska 0
Sunday, April 25
OU Headington Family Tennis Center, Norman

Singles
1. Anda Perianu (#5)(OU) def. Gitte Osterman (#72)(NU)        6-1, 6-0
2. Irina Lykina (OU) def. Milena Shultz-Gartner (NU)    6-4, 6-1
3. Gabby Baker (OU) def. Leslie Harvey (NU)    6-0, 6-3
4. Heather Saluri (OU) def. Anna Oehme (NU)    6-3, 6-1
5. Jessica Braver (OU) def. Pamela Castillejos (NU)   6-2, 6-4
6. Beth Griffin (OU) def. Katie Garcia (NU)    6-4, 3-6, 1-0 (7)

Doubles
1. Perianu/Saluri (OU) def. Harvey/Ketmayura (NU)   8-1
2. Ostermann/Garcia (NU) def. Braver/Lykina (OU)   8-1
3. Baker/Griffin (OU) def. Oehme/Schulz-Gartner (NU)   9-7

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