Sooners Punch Ticket To Elite Eight

²Oklahoma

¹⁵Stanford

NORMAN — For the first time in program history, the No. 2 Oklahoma women's tennis team advanced to the Elite Eight after defeating No. 15 Stanford 4-1 in Friday's Super Regionals.

"I'm so happy for this team and how much energy and passion they put into every point," said head coach Audra Cohen. "For them to have this moment and be able to share it with the Sooner crowd is phenomenal. It's an incredible feeling as we head to Illinois."

The Sooners came out strong in doubles, taking the first court at No. 3 spot. Dana Guzman and Emma Staker defeated Michaela Gordon and Valencia Xu 6-2. To clinch the opening point, Layne Sleeth and Alexandra Pisareva delivered a 7-5 court-two win over Sara Choy and Alexandra Yepifanova.

Due to a secured doubles point, play was halted at the top court. No. 10 Ivana and Carmen Corley were up 6-5 over No. 19 Angelica Blake and Connie Ma, after coming back from a 4-0 deficit.

Singles kicked off with a court-three win by No. 97 Ivana Corley, defeating Angelica Blake 6-4, 6-4 to extend the lead 2-0 for the Sooners.

Stanford put a point on the board with a win at the No. 6 spot. Choy grabbed the 7-5, 6-0 victory over Staker.

The Sooners went on to claim the following two courts. No. 53 Carmen Corley took down No. 23 Yepifanova at the No. 2 spot in an intense 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) fashion. To punch Oklahoma's ticket to the Elite Eight, Guzman bounced back from a 3-1 set-two deficit against India Houghton to clinch the 6-2, 6-4 win.

"I think it shows her [Dana] whole season and career," said Cohen. "She had a pretty major injury all fall and was on the recovery path to get better. For her to do this today is just a testament of how truly great of a player she is."

When play was halted, No. 10 Sleeth was up 7-6 (8-6), 1-1 over No. 26 Ma at the top court, while Pisareva was down 6-1, 4-6, 0-1 on court five.

UP NEXT

The Sooners will face the winner of No. 7 Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals in Champaign, Ill.

RESULTS

#2 Oklahoma 4, #15 Stanford 1

Singles
1. #10 Layne Sleeth (OU) vs. #26 Connie Ma (STAN) 7-6 (8-6), 1-1, unfinished
2. #53 Carmen Corley (OU) def. #23 Alexandra Yepifanova (STAN) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
3. #97 Ivana Corley (OU) def. Angelica Blake (STAN) 6-4, 6-4
4. Dana Guzman (OU) def. India Houghton (STAN) 6-2, 6-4
5. Alexandra Pisareva (OU) vs. #113 Valencia Xu (STAN) 6-1, 4-6, 0-1, unfinished
6. Sara Choy (STAN) def. Emma Staker (OU) 7-5, 6-0

Doubles
1. #10 Ivana Corley/Carmen Corley (OU) vs. #19 Angelica Blake/Connie Ma (STAN) 6-5, unfinished
2. Layne Sleeth/Alexandra Pisareva (OU) def. Sara Choy/Alexandra Yepifanova (STAN) 7-5
3. Dana Guzman/Emma Staker (OU) def. Michaela Gordon/Valencia Xu (STAN) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (3,6,2,4)

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RESULTS

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Players Mentioned

Carmen Corley

Ivana Corley

Dana Guzman

Alexandra Pisareva

Layne Sleeth

Emma Staker

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics