Sooners Snap Losing Streak

NORMAN, Okla. – The 29^th-ranked Oklahoma women's tennis team snapped a five-match losing streak by defeating the Kansas State Wildcats 4-2 Friday evening at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

The Sooners improved to 12-7 on the season and 2-5 in Big 12 play.

OU took the early 1-0 lead with doubles wins at No. 1 and No. 3. Junior Zita Engbroks and freshman Christiana Brigante dominated from start to finish with a 6-0 win over Maria Panaite and Riley Nizzi at No. 3. At No. 1, junior Emma Devine and freshman Malene Stripp grabbed an early 2-0 lead before Palma Juhasz and Carolina Costamagna of Kansas State tied the match at 2-2. Devine and Stripp would score four of the last five in order to clinch the doubles point for the Sooners.

At No. 2, the freshmen duo of Lily Miyazaki and Simran Sethi faced a 5-2 deficit against Iva Bago and Livia Cirnu when the doubles point was clinched.

In singles, Miyazaki moved to 12-4 at No. 1 and overall with a convincing 6-0, 6-2 win over Carolina Costamagna. She was up 4-0 in the second set before giving up a point. Brigante also dominated with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Maria Panaite to give the Sooners a 3-0 advantage.

“Christie has really stepped up her game the last few weeks,” said OU head coach David Mullins. “She had a great week of practice as well, so I wasn't one bit surprised to see her play so well in doubles and really control singles from the very first point.”

Kansas State would not go away and threatened to make a comeback after winning at No. 2 and No. 4 to cut the OU lead to 3-2. At No. 2, Sethi fell to Juhasz 3-6, 5-7 after playing the second set to a 5-5 tie. At No. 4, Engbroks was in control early after taking the first set against Cirnu, but fell 6-2, 2-6, 3-6.

At No. 6, Stripp was in control after the first set as well, but dropped her second set to Laura Hopton. The freshman responded well with a dominant third set to win 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 and clinch the match for the Sooners.

“Malene got a little stingier with her errors,” said Mullins. “She didn't give up too many cheap errors and made the girl earn the points she was winning.”

At No. 3, senior Abbi Melrose was facing a 3-6, 2-5 deficit before reeling off four of the next five points to eventually force a second set tiebreak, which she won 7-5. She was down 2-0 in the third set when the match concluded.

Results

Doubles

1. Emma Devine/Malene Stripp (OU) def. Palma Juhasz/Carolina Costamagna (KS) 6-3

2. Lily Miyazaki/Simran Sethi (OU) vs. Iva Bago/Livia Cirnu (KS) 2-5, unfinished

3. Zita Engbroks/Christiana Brigante (OU) def. Maria Panaite/Riley Nizzi (KS) 6-0

ORDER OF FINISH: 3, 1

Singles

1. Lily Miyazaki (OU) def. Carolina Costamagna (KS) 6-0, 6-2

2. Palma Juhasz (KS) def. Simran Sethi (OU) 6-3, 7-5

3. Abbi Melrose (OU) vs. Iva Bago (KS) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 0-2, unfinished

4. Livia Cirnu (KS) def. Zita Engbroks (OU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3

5. Christiana Brigante (OU) def. Maria Panaite (KS) 6-2, 6-1

6. Malene Stripp (OU) def. Laura Hopton (KS) 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

Seeking 100

Friday marked the 99^th win of Mullins' head coaching career at OU and overall. 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.

Up Next

The Sooners will celebrate the career of senior Abbi Melrose on Senior Day at the Headington Family Tennis Center Sunday at noon when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

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Players Mentioned

Christiana Brigante

Emma Devine

Zita Engbroks

Abbi Melrose

Lily Miyazaki

Malene Stripp

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics