Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
ITA Kickoff Weekend
Cowgirl Tennis Knocks Off No. 18 Georgia Tech
January 25, 2015 | Cowgirl Tennis
ATLANTA – For the first time in program history, Oklahoma State's women's tennis team won both matches at the ITA Kickoff Weekend event as the Cowgirls downed No. 18 Georgia Tech, 4-3.
"I am so proud of these girls. We didn't play our best tennis this weekend but we competed great and that made the difference,” coach Chris Young said. “To beat Georgia Tech at their place after losing the doubles point was a great accomplishment and we are looking forward to the opportunity to represent OSU at the National Indoor Championships."
The win came with the Cowgirls overcoming a pair of losses in the doubles portion of competition.
The comeback started when sophomore and No. 53 Katarina Adamovic took out Rasheeda McAdoo in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1. She improves to 3-1 for the spring.
The Yellow Jackets took a 2-1 lead when Alexis Prokopuik defeated senior Karyn Guttormsen, 6-0, 6-2.
On court four, Vladica Babic took the point back, winning her first set in a tiebreaker before shutting out Kendal Woodward in the second set, 7-6 (2), 6-0.
All-American and tenth-ranked Viktoriya Lushkova followed up with a 6-3, 6-4 straight-set win over No. 63 Johnnise Renuad. The win gave the Cowgirls their first lead of the match.
Georgia Tech's Paige Hourigan, ranked No. 121, defeated Cowgirl newcomer Kelsey Laurente, but it didn't come easy as the Cowgirl forced a third set after she earned the win in the second set.
The match was decided on court six, where Maria Alvarez met up with Megan Kurey. Alvarez dropped her first set, 6-2, but responded with a 6-4 win in the second set and a 6-3 win in the third set to clinch the match for the Pokes.
“I'm so proud of how everyone came out after losing the doubles point,” Alvarez said. “Everyone has put in a lot of effort since we started the semester, and this weekend is just what we have been looking for. I can't wait to compete with this group of girls in Nationals Indoors."
The Cowgirls return to Stillwater next weekend to host No. 25 Ole Miss and No. 58 Arkansas on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, respectively.
No. 19 Oklahoma State 4, No. 18 Georgia Tech 3
Jan. 25, 2015 :: Atlanta, Ga. :: Championship match
Doubles | Order of finish: 3, 2
1. McAdoo/Prokopuik (GT) vs. #5 Lushkova/Laurente (OSU) 5-4, unfinished
2. Woodard/Hourigan (GT) def. Adamovic/Babic (OSU) 6-4
3. Prokhnevska/Renaud (GT) def. Tur Mari/Guttorsmsen (OSU) 6-2
Singles | Order of finish: 3, 5, 4, 1, 2, 6*
1. #10 Viktoriya Lushkova (OSU) def. #63 Johnnise Renaud (GT) 6-3, 6-4
2. #121 Paige Hourigan (GT) def. Kelsey Laurente (OSU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
3. #53 Katarina Adamovic (OSU) def. Rasheeda McAdoo (GT) 6-1, 6-1
4. Vladica Babic (OSU) def. Kendal Woodard (GT) 7-6 (7-2), 6-0
5. Alexis Prokopuik (GT) def. Karyn Guttorsmsen (OSU) 6-0, 6-2
6. Maria Alvarez (OSU) def. Megan Kurey (GT) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
