Sooners Suffer Quarterfinal Loss

WACO, Texas – The 41^st-ranked Oklahoma women's tennis team fell to 16^th-ranked Texas Tech in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tennis Championships by a 4-0 decision Friday.

The match was originally scheduled for noon CT, but was moved indoors and rescheduled for a 4 p.m. CT start due to inclement weather in the area. However, the weather cleared and the match was moved back outdoors with a 1:30 p.m. CT starting time.

Due to the possibility of more inclement weather, singles was played first. Doubles would only have been played if necessary. The rain would not hold off as play was stopped near the end of the first sets.

The Sooners won the doubles point during the regular season match in Lubbock.

At No. 6, junior Emma Devine dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision to Katelyn Jackson to give the Red Raiders their first point. Devine trailed 5-0 in the second set but won four straight points to cut the Texas Tech lead to one. Shortly after, freshman Simran Sethi fell at the No. 2 position to Gabriella Talaba 6-2, 6-3, giving Texas Tech a 2-0 lead.

At No. 3, senior Abbi Melrose fell to 114^th-ranked Sarah Dvorak at No. 3 via a 6-4, 7-5 decision. The Red Raiders clinched the match at No. 4 as freshman Christiana Brigante was unable to win the second set tiebreak, falling 6-2, 7-6 to 73^rd ranked Lynn Kiro.

Despite the final score, the Sooners gave themselves chances at many spots.

“I thought it was one of the first times all year where across the board we gave ourselves chances,” said OU head coach David Mullins. “It was good to see that at the end of the year, to see that improvement and them understanding what it is to stay in matches and find ways to stay competitive even when you are outmatched.”

By the conclusion of the match, the Sooners had managed to force third sets at No. 1 and No. 5. At No. 1, freshman Lily Miyazaki held a 4-2 lead in the third set against 69^th-ranked Kenna Kilgo after splitting the first two sets (6-3, 2-6). Freshman Malene Stripp rebounded from a 6-3 first set loss to takes the second set by the same score. She trailed 3-0 in the third set.

“I was thrilled with how we competed and fought today across the board,” said Mullins. “It was good to see us all come together right at the end of the year.”

Results

1. #69 Kenna Kilgo (TTU) vs. Lily Miyazaki (OU) 3-6, 6-2, 2-4, unfinished

2. Gabriella Talaba (TTU) def. Simran Sethi (OU) 6-2, 6-3

3. #114 Sarah Dvorak (TTU) def. Abbi Melrose (OU) 6-4, 7-5

4. #73 Lynn Kiro (TTU) def. Christiana Brigante (OU) 6-2, 7-6 (7-0)

5. Sabrina Federici (TTU) vs. Malene Stripp (OU) 6-3, 3-6, 0-3, unfinished

6. Katelyn Jackson (TTU) def. Emma Devine (OU) 6-2, 6-4

Up Next

The Sooners await their NCAA Tournament fate with a No. 41 ITA ranking and 14-9 overall record. NCAA Regionals are set for May 8-10 at host sites. The selection show will be held on Tuesday, April 28 at 5 p.m. and can be seen on NCAA.com.

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Players Mentioned

Christiana Brigante

Christiana Brigante

Emma Devine

Emma Devine

Abbi Melrose

Abbi Melrose

Lily Miyazaki

Lily Miyazaki

Malene Stripp

Malene Stripp

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