Sooners Rally After Slow Start at OU Invite

The Oklahoma women's tennis team overcame a 1-4 start in doubles play to win its final five double matches on the second day of the OU Fall Invite Saturday.

Freshman Christie Brigante and junior Zita Engbroks won both of their doubles matches. After defeating Ana Sofia Cordero of North Texas and Alba Escalona Perny of Tulsa 8-3, they beat Abby Stevens and Aleksandra Trifunovic of Wichita State 8-7 to advance to the semifinals of the Red Draw.

“It's good to see them make those adjustments, kind of similar to the start we had yesterday,” said head coach David Mullins. “We didn't play well in the first sets, but we responded quickly and that usually takes a few matches, but for this group they responded quickly.”

After dropping their first match 8-4 to Katelyn Jackson and Sam Czarniak of Texas Tech, sophomore Morgan Chumney and freshman Lily Miyazaki defeated Maria Jose Cardona and Smith Hinton of Kansas, 8-4.

Chumney and Miyazaki went on to win their singles matches in straight sets. Chumney defeated Hortense Boscher of Texas Tech (6-1, 6-2) and Miyazaki defeated Dobby Leenabanchong of Tulsa (6-4, 6-4). Miyazaki will play Shannon Hudson of Arkansas in the championship match of the Boomer Draw on Sunday.

In the afternoon, the Sooners continued their strong showing in singles play, winning their first three matches before finishing with a combined 4-5 record. Their total singles record through both days is 16-11.

Senior Abbi Melrose beat Marcelina Cichon of Tulsa in straight sets (6-0, 6-2) to advance to the championship of the Sooner Draw. She will play Mackenzie Craft of Arkansas on Sunday at a time to be determined.

“It was just Abbi at her best,” said Mullins. “When she is the mindset that she is not going to miss a ball, she just refuses to miss a ball, and she just really digs her heels in and plays the game style that she needs to play.”

Play will resume at 9 a.m. Sunday with a round of doubles followed by the final round of singles.

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