Freshmen Shine For Sooners at OU Invite

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma women's tennis team concluded the first day of the OU Fall Invite with a combined 12-6 record in singles play, including a 7-2 record in the first round.

All four freshmen won their first collegiate matches and combined for a 7-1 record on the day. Lily Miyazaki won both of her matches in straight sets, beating Belen Luduena of Kansas (6-2, 6-4) and Abby Stevens of Wichita State (6-3, 6-2) to advance to the semifinals of the Boomer Draw. She will play Dobby Leenabanchong of Tulsa at a time to be determined.

"I saw a lot of nervous starts, which is completely understandable seeing as it's their first college match," head coach David Mullins said. "What I was most proud of is that they snapped out of it pretty early in their second sets. Sometimes it takes a few matches, but for them it took a set so that's very promising."

Senior Abbi Melrose came back to win her first match after losing her first set 3-6. She won the next two sets against Madison Harrison of Kansas by scores of 6-2 and 7-6. Melrose then won her next match in straight sets (6-2, 6-2) against Alexis Thoma of North Texas.

"Abbi wants to play long points and that suits her game," said Mullins. "She's extremely fit and knows that she can outlast pretty much anybody. She will take that long three-set match any day of the week."

Play will resume tomorrow at 9 a.m., which also starts the first round of doubles action.

Barring inclement weather, two rounds of doubles and one round of singles will be played. If inclement weather comes into play, there will be two rounds of doubles played indoors.

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