Sooners Meet Ranked Big 12 Conference Foes

NORMAN, Okla. – The Oklahoma women's tennis team will continue Big 12 Conference play with weekend matches at No. 23 Texas Tech on Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. CT and at No. 20 TCU on Sunday, March 29 at noon. OU enters the weekend with a 11-4 record overall (1-2 Big 12).

Friday's match marks OU's first in nearly two weeks due to the cancellation of its match in Charleston, S.C., that was scheduled for March 19.

The Sooners last saw action on March 13 and 15 with home losses to the currently 32^nd-ranked Texas Longhorns by a score of 4-2 and the 7^th-ranked Baylor Bears 4-0. Despite the losses, the Sooners were able to find positives in doubles play and at No. 1 singles. Both doubles points were hotly contested, with the Sooners staying competitive before late pushes by both opponents. At No. 1 singles, Lily Miyazaki defeated Ryann Foster of Texas in straight sets (6-4, 6-3). She then proceeded to take the first match from 22^nd-ranked Ema Burgic of Baylor 6-4 before the match was suspended due to the clinch.

OU will look to rebound using these bright spots against this weekend's very stiff competition.

“We are facing two teams that are putting together very good seasons,” said OU head coach David Mullins. “We will definitely have our hands full.”

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders enter the weekend sporting a 12-4 overall record (2-1 Big 12) and a 7-1 record at home. Texas Tech owns wins over 22^nd-ranked Ohio State, 25^th-ranked Wichita State, and 49^th-ranked Auburn and three of its four losses have come against teams ranked in the current ITA Top 25.

Texas Tech boasts three ranked singles players. Leading the pack is 60^th-ranked Lynn Kiro, followed by 90^th-ranked Sarah Dvorak and 122^nd-ranked Sabrina Federici.

TCU

TCU enters the weekend with an 11-6 overall record (3-1 Big 12) and is undefeated at home with a 4-0 record. The Horned Frogs are also battle tested, with all of their losses coming against teams currently ranked 14^th or higher and including five in the current ITA Top 10.

TCU also makes multiple appearances in the individual rankings, with two singles players and one doubles pair. Simona Parajova checks in at No. 44 with an 11-2 record at No. 2 singles. Stefanie Tan owns a 5-6 record at No. 1 singles, but TCU's gauntlet schedule has helped her obtain a No. 108 ranking. At No. 1 doubles, Tan and her partner Seda Arantekin enter the weekend with a 10-4 record and a No. 42 overall ranking.

“We will need to be very patient this weekend and ensure we don't get into any situations where we are forcing our shots and giving away too many quick points,” said Mullins.

Seeking 100

Mullins enters the weekend with 98 career wins in just seven seasons as head coach of OU. The milestone would become just the latest of several recent accomplishments for the Sooners' head coach.

In 2014, Mullins led the Sooners to their highest ITA ranking ever, coming in at No. 14 the week of March 4. OU also reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in school history and the second time under Mullins. Oklahoma's success in 2014 would eventually lead to its highest ITA preseason ranking in school history, entering this season ranked No. 24. In addition, Mullins was named the ITA Central Region Coach of the Year in 2014.

Live Scoring

Texas Tech: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=88647

TCU: TCU.StatBroadcast.com

Looking Ahead

The Sooners travel to Stillwater, Okla., on Friday, April 3 for the second Bedlam matchup of the season with 11^th-ranked Oklahoma State. The Cowgirls won the previous match in Norman 4-0 on March 1.