Sooners Fall, 4-3, in Lawrence

March 28, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team (7-7, 0-3) fell 4-3 to the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday.

"It was a tough loss. It was there to win and we just didn't do it," OU head coach Mark Johnson said. "We were in position to win and didn't close it out."

Oklahoma fell behind early, dropping two of the three doubles spots, to give Kansas a quick 1-0 lead.

"We did not play good doubles today and it really cost us," Johnson said.

Oklahoma's only doubles victory came at the No. 3 position where the freshman duo of Tara Eckel and Maria Kalashnikova defeated Kansas' Magadalena Tokarczyk and Maria Martinez, 8-4.

Despite the loss of the doubles point, the Sooners had a chance to win after taking victories at the No. 1, 2, and 5 singles positions.

No. 89 Ana-Maria Constantinescu returned to the No. 1 spot to defeat Tokarczyk in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.

Senior Chelsea Orr rallied to a three-set victory against Elizaveta Avdeeva. The Tulsa native won the first set 7-5, before falling 6-2 in the second. Orr rebounded, taking the third with a quick 6-2 decision.

Senior Christi Baxley gave OU their third singles win, knocking off Yuliana Svistun in three sets. Baxley dropped the first set 2-6, before winning the next two 6-4, 6-2.

"Ana, Chelsea and Christi all played very well today," Johnson said. "Christi and Chelsea did a great job of staying focused and closing out those third sets."

Oklahoma now travels to Manhattan, Kan., where they will take on Kansas State, Saturday at 1 p.m. The Sooners head to Manhattan looking to claim their first Big 12 victory of the season.

For updates on women's tennis, check SoonerSports.com.

KU 4, Oklahoma 3

Doubles
1) Avdeeva/Horvath (KU) def. Orr/Constantinescu (OU), 8-4
2) Hommell/Dorn (KU) def. Baxley/Antakova (OU), 8-4
3) Eckel/Kalashnikova (OU) def. Martinez/Tokarczyk (KU), 8-4

Singles
1) #87 Ana Constantinescu (OU) def. Magdalena Tokarczyk (KU), 6-4, 6-1
2) Chelsea Orr (OU) def. Elizaveta Avdeeva (KU), 7-5, 2-6, 6-2
3) Edina Horvath (KU) def. Maria Kalashnikova (OU), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
4) Kunigunda Dorn (KU) def. Elena Antakova (OU), 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-1
5) Christi Baxley (OU) def. Yuliana Svistun (KU), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
6) Lauren Hommell (KU) def. Tara Eckel (OU), 6-2, 6-2

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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