Sooners Down Bama 4-3

Feb. 23, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team defeated Alabama 4-3 Saturday, Feb. 23, at The Greens Golf and Country Club.

The Sooners, who entered the match 0-3 all-time against the Crimson Tide, took an early lead earning the doubles point with a sweep at all three positions.

Leading Oklahoma off the courts was senior Christi Baxley and freshman Tara Eckel at the No. 3 spot. The duo recorded a quick 8-1 decision over Alabama's Andrea Brenes and Bianca Svensson.

OU's Rachael Cox and Elena Antakova locked the doubles point for the Sooners claming an 8-3 win over Alice Tunaru and Meritt Emery at No. 2.

"I was pleased with how the girls stayed focused and took care of business," OU head coach Mark Johnson said. "It is always nice to get that first point."

The undefeated duo of Chelsea Orr and Ana-Maria Constantinescu represented Oklahoma at the No. 1 position. The pair earned an 8-4 win over Paulina Bigos and Tiffany Welcher to improve its doubles record to 6-0.

In singles action, Alabama quickly brought the score back to 1-1 when Godwin defeated Brittany Baldy 6-4, 6-0.

Orr was the next to finish, giving OU the lead with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Alabama's Paulina Bigos.

"I thought that this was my best match of the season," said Orr. "I struggled a little in the first set, but I feel like I really pulled together in the second set."

At the No. 1 position, the undefeated Constantinescu played her first three-set match of the spring season. After defeating UA's Tiffany Welcher 6-4 in the first set, the 33rd ranked Sooner fell 6-2. Constantinescu bounced back in the third set taking a 6-3 victory to claim the match and advance her record to 6-0.

"I thought we had a great match," said Constantinescu. "She was a great player. I thought I did a good job of staying focused. I am really pleased with how I played, especially in the first and third sets."

Senior Christi Baxley added to OU's victory with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the Crimson Tide's Meritt Emery.

"I am very pleased with how the day turned out," said Johnson. "This is a great win for the girls. Alabama is a very solid team and they played very well today. I am proud of how we competed."

The women's tennis team will return to action Saturday, March 1, when they host Oral Roberts University at the Headington Family Tennis Center. Matches are set to begin at 12 p.m.

Doubles
1. Constantinescu / Orr (OU) def. Bigos / Welcher (UA) 8-4
2. Baxley / Eckel (OU) def. Brenes / Svensson (UA), 8-1
3. Antakova/ Cox (OU) def. Tunaru / Emery (UA), 8-3

Singles
1. Ana-Maria Constantinescu (OU) def. Tiffany Welcher (UA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2. Chelsea Orr (OU) def. Paulina Bigos (UA), 7-6, 6-3
3. Alice Tanaru def. Maria Kalashnikova (OU), 3-6, 7-5, 10-6
4. Christi Baxley (OU) def. Meritt Emery (UA), 6-4, 6-3
5. Bianca Svensson (UA) def. Elena Antakova (OU), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Shelly Godwin (UA) def. Brittany Baldy (OU), 6-4, 6-0

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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