Sooners Sweep Season Opener

Jan. 25, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma women's tennis team completed its season opener with a 7-0 sweep of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Friday at Marquette University.

"It was a great way to start the season," OU head coach Mark Johnson said. "I am pleased with the way we played and competed."

The Sooners unveiled three freshmen in their starting lineup, including No. 33-ranked Ana-Maria Constantinescu. Constantinescu led the Sooners at the No. 1 singles position, defeating the Panthers' Kelly Drvaric in straight sets 6-2, 6-0.

Maria Kalashnikova and Tara Eckel were the other Sooner freshmen in the lineup. Kalashnikova represented Oklahoma at the No. 2 spot defeating Martina Schnapp 6-1, 6-3. Eckel played No. 6 for the Sooners beating Ashley Schoneman 6-3, 6-1.

Seniors Christi Baxley and Rachael Cox also returned for Oklahoma. Baxley defeated Sammi Schoen 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 4 spot, while Cox coasted to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Traci Litscher.

"I thought the girls really played well in singles," Johnson said. "We still have some things to work on, but I couldn't be happier with how we looked in our first match of the season."

The Sooners continued to roll in doubles action with Constantinescu and senior Chelsea Orr recording an 8-4 victory over Drvaric and Kari Kastenholz at the No. 1 spot.

Kalashnikova paired with sophomore Elena Antakova at the No. 2 spot, defeating Schoen and Schoneman 8-4.

Eckel and Baxley joined forces at the No. 3 doubles spot, crushing Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Litscher and Jenna Felsher 8-0.

Oklahoma will stay in Milwaukee taking on Ohio State University Saturday, Jan. 26, at 12 p.m. and Marquette University Sunday, Jan. 27. For updates check SoonerSports.com.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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