Sooners Set for Pair of Weekend Matches

Oklahoma vs. South Alabama (Sat./12 p.m.)

Oklahoma vs. Illinois (Sun./11 a.m.)

Feb. 25-26 | Headington Family Tennis Center

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NORMAN – Oklahoma women's tennis team is slated for two matches this weekend, beginning with South Alabama Saturday at noon CT and a before hosting Illinois Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.

Homestand Continues

The Sooners (5-2) come into the matchups after a three-match campaign last weekend, where they fell to Tulsa, 4-1, before bouncing back to sweep previously undefeated SMU, 7-0, and UMKC, 6-1, last Sunday at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

In the match against SMU, Oklahoma snapped four Mustangs' winning streaks in singles play for the sweep.

Since their debut as a pair against Wisconsin on Feb. 12, Julie Byrne and Malene Stripp have yet to drop a match at No. 1 doubles. Stripp and Byrne are now 3-0 after never having played together prior to the matchup with the Badgers.

Junior and No. 22-ranked Lily Miyazaki leads Oklahoma from the No. 1 line with a 4-2 mark in singles this spring.

Stripp and Byrne continue to be forces for the Sooners with just one loss apiece in singles play. On courts five and six, freshman Byrne has compiled a 5-1 record, while Stripp is 4-1 in the three and four slots.

Scouting the Jaguars

South Alabama is 8-2 overall this season, with its losses coming against then-No. 22 Texas A&M and then-No. 24 Mississippi State.

In singles play, senior Laura Matuskova is undefeated with seven wins on courts two, three and four. Alina Zolotareva is also 7-0 from the No. 4, 5 and 6 lines, while Particia Martins is 7-1 on courts three, four and five.

At No. 1 doubles, Martins and Laura Valkova own a 7-3 record. Matuskova and Monica Mitta have won their last four straight on court three for a 4-1 record in doubles.

South Alabama travels to No. 35 Wichita State Friday night to take on the Shockers (4-4).

Saturday's matchup will mark the first meeting between Oklahoma and South Alabama.

Scouting the Fighting Illini

The Illini (3-6) are led by senior Madie Baillon, who is ranked 109th in the nation in singles. Baillon owns a 3-4 overall record in singles play from the No. 3 and 4 lines. On courts five and six, junior Grace Tapak holds a 4-0 record.

In its last match, Illinois fell to No. 23 Northwestern, 6-1. The Illini will travel to No. 27 Arkansas Friday before heading to Norman for Sunday's contest.

The all-time series between OU and Illinois is tied at 1-1. The last time the teams met, Oklahoma bested Illinois, 5-2, on Feb. 8, 2014, at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

Think Pink

Saturday's contest with South Alabama will be the Sooners' “pink” match for breast cancer awareness. Oklahoma will wear pink match tops. Fans are encouraged to wear pink, and free t-shirts will be available for those in attendance.

Match Info

Weather permitting, the weekend's matches will be played outdoors. Admission to the Headington Family Tennis Center is free. Live stats for the match will be available here.

For updates, follow @OU_WTennis on Twitter.