Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Colorado
Cowgirls Earn First Big 12 Win
March 26, 2010 | Cowgirl Tennis
March 26, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - The No. 61 Oklahoma State women's tennis team earned its first Big 12 Conference win of the year Friday, defeating No. 65 Colorado, 5-2, at the DeBois Tennis Complex. It was Cowgirl coach Chris Young's first career Big 12 win.
The match began with doubles competition, where the Cowgirls, 7-4 (1-2), dropped all three matches to go down, 1-0.
"We're not as strong as we need to be in doubles," Young said. "The girls just came out a little bit tight and put too much pressure on themselves, so in between doubles and singles I just wanted to challenge the girls to be mentally tougher and they really made a big change."
OSU's change was a significant one, as the Cowgirls won five of six singles matches to pick up the win.
Nataliya Shatkovskaya, Malika Rose and Sarah Meghoufel stormed out to straight set wins at the No. 2, 5 and 4 singles spots, respectively, to put the Cowgirls up 3-1. Shatkovskaya's win is made even more impressive because it was the first match completed and she was facing the No. 110-ranked player in the country, Colorado's Melisa Esposito.
After giving up a point at No. 1 singles, Oklahoma State needed only one win from the two remaining matches to earn the team victory.
With Alexandra Cristello and Sasha Belova caught in third set battles at No. 6 and 3 singles, respectively, both athletes came through with wins to make the final score, 5-2, in favor of the Cowgirls.
"That couldn't have happened to better people," Young said. "They both have been struggling a bit with confidence, so for it to come down to those two courts with us needing at least one of them, and to wind up getting wins from both of them - it was great. I couldn't be more proud of those girls.
"I'm also really proud of the crowd that came out today. They showed up to support us, especially in doubles, and I hope they continue to support these girls because they are working hard."
The Cowgirls resume play Sunday, facing Missouri at 1 p.m. in the second match of a five-match home stand. Admission is free and fans in attendance will be treated to free pizza as long as supplies last.
No. 61 Oklahoma State 5, No. 65 Colorado, 2
March 26, 2010 - DeBois Tennis Complex - Stillwater, Okla.
DOUBLES
No. 1 - Monica Milewski/Ania Anuszkiewicz (CU) def. Sasha Belova/Nataliya Shatkovskaya (OSU), 8-5
No. 2 - Erin Sanders/Melisa Esposito (CU) def. Sarah Meghoufel/Malika Rose (OSU), 8-5
No. 3 - Abbie Probert/Michala Hedelund Jensen (CU) def. Alisa Buslaieva/Alexandra Cristello (OSU), 8-7(4)
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
SINGLES
No. 1 - #121 Monica Milewski (CU) def. Alisa Buslaieva (OSU), 7-6(5), 6-1
No. 2 - Nataliya Shatkovskaya (OSU) def. #110 Melisa Esposito (CU), 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 - Sasha Belova (OSU) def. Abbie Probert (CU), 6-0, 5-7, 6-3
No. 4 - Sarah Meghoufel (OSU) def. Michala Hedelund Jensen (CU), 6-0, 6-4
No. 5 - Malika Rose (OSU) def. Ania Anuszkiewicz (CU), 6-3, 6-3
No. 6 - Alexandra Cristello (OSU) def. Erin Sanders (CU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
Order of finish: 2, 5, 4, 1, 6*, 3
Players Mentioned
