Constantinescu Strong in OU Loss

Jan. 26, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team fell 6-1 to Ohio State University in a matchup at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Sooners lone point came from No. 33-ranked Ana-Maria Constantinescu, who played the No. 1-singles spot. Constantinescu eased to a 6-2, 6-1 victory over the Ohio State's Paloma Escobedo.

"Ana-Maria played very well," OU head coach Mark Johnson said. "She has really adjusted to the collegiate level."

Senior Chelsea Orr made her spring singles debut at the No. 3 spot, falling in three sets to Ohio State's Christina Keesey. After defeating Keesey 6-2 in the first set, Orr dropped 3-6 in the second. The two then played a tiebreaker with Keesey winning 10-6.

At No. 4, Oklahoma's Elena Antakova dropped a three-set match to Buckeye Julie Blackmoore. Blackmoore played to a 6-1 win in the first set before Antakova came back to claim the second set 6-2. Blackmoore then won the tiebreaker, 10-8.

"We had our chances," Johnson said. "We just didn't finish. That is something we are really going to have to work on."

In doubles action, the Sooners lost the point after falling at the No. 2 and 3 spots. At No. 2, Maria Kalashnikova and Rachael Cox paired for the first time. The duo fell, 8-4, to Blackmoore and Cami Hubbs.

Buckeyes Caitlin O'Keefe and Escobedo defeated senior Christi Baxley and freshman Tara Eckel 8-3 at No. 3 doubles.

"Ohio State is a very good team," Johnson said. "We just have to do a better job of taking our chances when they come."

The Sooners will return to the courts Sunday, Jan. 27, at 10 a.m. to face Marquette in their final dual of the weekend.

Singles