Sooners Drop to USC, 4-0

USC

Oklahoma

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Oklahoma women's tennis fell to USC, 4-0, in the ITA Kickoff Weekend consolation match Saturday.

"Today was a heartbreaker," said head coach Audra Cohen. "It could have been a 4-3 match either way, and it came down to a couple of points at No. 1 singles. We have to be very resilient and bounce back after this tough weekend."

The Sooners (1-3) dropped the doubles point to USC (3-2). On court three, Malene Stripp and Skyler Miller were defeated by Madison Westby and Constance Branstine, 6-2. Lily Miyazaki and Camila Romero fell to Becca Weissmann and Gabby Smith, 6-2, at No. 2.

When play was abandoned, seniors Christie Brigante and Simran Sethi trailed USC's Angela Kulikov and Rianna Valdes, 5-4, from the No. 1 line.

In singles action, the Trojans took an early lead, but the Sooners gave USC all it could handle on the back courts.

Sethi was defeated by Weissman, 6-2, 6-1, on court two. At No. 3 singles, Brigante fell to No. 85 Westby, 6-3, 6-3.

On court one, No. 14 Miyazaki lost a three-set battle to No. 35 Gabby Smith, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

When play was halted, Romero was tied with Kulikov at 5-all in the second set. Romero fought to win her first set in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (6). The freshman traded games with Kulikov into the decider, but held on to grab the first frame.

Stripp led Branstine, 3-0, in the third frame on court four. Stripp won an extended opening set, 7-5, before Branstine took the second set, 6-3.

Miller looked to close out her third set, leading Sydney van Alphen, 4-0. The freshman had no trouble with van Alphen in the first frame, winning 6-2, before van Alphen grabbed set two, 7-5.

The Sooners are back in action next Friday, Feb. 2, for their home opener, where they will face Arkansas at 5 p.m.

For updates, follow @OU_WTennis on Twitter.

Singles Results

#35 Gabby Smith (USC) def. #14 Lily Miyazaki (OU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
Becca Weissmann (USC) def. Simran Kaur Sethi (OU) 6-2, 6-1
#85 Madison Westby (USC) def. Christiana Brigante (OU) 6-3, 6-3
Angela Kulikov (USC) vs. Camila Romero (OU) 6-7 (6-8), 5-5, unfinished
Constance Branstine (USC) vs. Malene Stripp (OU) 5-7, 6-3, 0-3, unfinished
Sydney Van Alphen (USC) vs. Skyler Miller (OU) 2-6, 7-5, 0-4, unfinished

Doubles Results

#46 Angela Kulikov/Rianna Valdes (USC) vs. Christiana Brigante/Simran Kaur Sethi (OU) 5-4, unfinished
Becca Weissmann/Gabby Smith (USC) def. Lily Miyazaki/Camila Romero (OU) 6-3
Madison Westby/Constance Branstine (USC) def. Skyler Miller/Malene Stripp (OU) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (2,3,1)

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Players Mentioned

Christiana Brigante

Christiana Brigante

Simran Kaur Sethi

Simran Kaur Sethi

Skyler Miller

Lily Miyazaki

Camila Romero

Malene Stripp

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics