Sooners Knock off Kansas, 4-3

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma hosted the Kansas Jayhawks Wednesday, April 18 in their final home match of the season. The Sooners defeated the Jayhawks 4-3. The win put Oklahoma at 8-11 on the season and 5-5 in Big 12 play. It also gave the Sooners a 5-2 record at home this season.

Wednesday was also the last go around at Headington Family Tennis Center for the Sooners' five seniors; Gabby Baker, Anne Carter, Irina Lykina, Melissa Mercer, and Monica Purice.

“It was a great way to finish to my career,” said senior Anne Carter. “I am so glad that three of the seniors won.”

In doubles action, Oklahoma claimed a quick 8-2 victory at the No. 3 spot with Rachael Cox and Chelsea Orr defeating Stephanie Smith and Yuliana Svistun.

The Sooners then fell at the No. 1 and 2 spots, giving Kansas the doubles point and a 1-0 lead.

In singles action, it was a battle of three set matches. The two teams battled it out in three sets at all but the No. 1 and 5 spots. The Sooners came out with victories in all four three set matches.

“I was proud of the way we fought,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “It wasn't our sharpest match, but the girls play hard.”

At the No. 3 spot Sooner senior Lykina started out slow, getting down 3-0. Lykina then came back tying the first set at six all. The two then decided the first set in a tie-breaker, which Lykina took 7-2. Kansas' Kunigunda Dorn came back to win the second set 6-4. Lykina then took the victory 6-4 in the third.

At the No. 6 spot Carter won her final home match in three sets. After winning the first set 6-1, Carter fell to KU's Smith 3-6 in the second. Carter came back to take the match 6-2 in the third.

Oklahoma's Purice was the last one on the court, with the two teams tied at three all. Purice fell to Jayhawks Edina Horvath 6-3 in the first set. She then took the second set in a tie-breaker 7-3. With the team victory riding on the outcome of the third set, the senior stepped-up and won the match 6-2, giving the Sooners a 4-3 victory.

The Sooners will return to action this weekend as they travel to Boulder, Colorado Saturday, April 21 to take on the University of Colorado.

Match Results

Oklahoma 4, Kansas 3

4/18/07 at Norman, Okla.

Singles

1. Elizaveta Avdeeva (KU) def. Gabby Baker (OU) 6-3, 6-1

2. Monica Purice (OU) def. Edina Horvath (KU) 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2

3. Irina Lykina (OU) def. Kunigunda Dorn (KU) 7-6 (2), 4-6, 6-4

4. Christi Baxley (OU) def. Lauren Hommell (KU) 6-5, 1-6, 6-1

5. Yuliana Svistun (KU) def. Chelsea Orr (OU) 7-6 (0), 7-6 (4)

6. Anne Carter (OU) def. Stephanie Smith (KU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2

Order of finish: 1, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2