Sooners Drop Bedlam, 4-3

April 16, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team (10-10, 3-6) fell 4-3 to the Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Wednesday at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

Oklahoma started strong, taking an early 1-0 lead after claiming the doubles point.

OU's Ana-Maria Constantinescu and Chelsea Orr took an easy 8-3 win at the No. 1 spot, defeating OSU's Jo-Anne Karaitiana and Sasha Belova.

Oklahoma State claimed the No. 2 position, with an 8-3 win over Senior Christi Baxley and freshman Tara Eckel.

With the doubles point on the line, the No. 3 duo of Maria Kalashnikova and Elena Antakova came back from a 5-2 deficit to defeat Cowgirls Jessica Collins and Maryna Thkachenko 9-7.

"I am pleased with how the girls fought to come back," OU head coach Mark Johnson said. "We have struggled in doubles the last few duals, so I am pleased to come out and get that point against a very strong team."

With the wind being a major factor in singles play, Oklahoma State's Sasha Belova tied the score at 1-1, taking the first singles point. She defeated Oklahoma's Antakova 6-4, 6-2.

OU's Kalashnikova was next off the court, falling 6-2, 7-5 to Karaitiana.

Oklahoma bounced back to 2-2 with Constantinescu defeating Iryna Tkachenko 6-4, 6-4. The win gives the freshman standout a 14-4 season record at the No. 1 position.

With the match tied at 3-3 and the Bedlam Bell on the line, Eckel was the only Sooner left on the court. The Dallas, Texas native defeated OSU's Collins 6-4 in the first set, before falling behind 7-5 in the second. Collins then clinched the match for the Cowgirls with a 6-3 win in the third set.

"It was a tough match and an even tougher loss," Johnson said.

The women's tennis team will return to action Friday, April 18, as they host the Colorado Buffaloes at 5 p.m.

Fans in attendance will receive free food and drink from local restaurants as well as gift certificates from numerous local restaurants and retail outlets. A free tennis clinic with the women's tennis team will also be given away to the school with the most students in attendance.

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

Doubles

1. Constantinescu/Orr (OU) def. Karaitiana/ Belova (OSU), 8-3
2. I. Tkachenko/ Allen (OSU) def. Baxley/Eckel (OU), 8-3
3. Kalashnikova/Antakova (OU) def. Collins/ M. Tkachenko (OSU), 9-7

Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*
*Clinched doubles point

Singles

1. Ana Constantinescu (OU) def. Iryna Tkachenko (OSU), 6-4, 6-4
2. Chelsea Orr (OU) def. Yawna Allen (OSU), 6-3, 6-4
3. Jo-Anne Karaitiana (OSU) def. Maria Kalashnikova (OU), 6-2, 7-5
4. Sasha Belova (OSU) def. Elena Antakova (OU), 6-4, 6-2
5. Maryna Tkachenko (OSU) def. Christi Baxley (OU), 7-5, 6-4
6. Jessica Collins (OSU) def. Tara Eckel (OU), 4-6, 7-5, 6-3

Order of Finish: 4, 3, 1, 5, 2, 6*

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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