Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Denver
Cowgirl Tennis Knocks Off Denver
March 31, 2011 | Cowgirl Tennis
March 31, 2011
DENVER, Colo. – The Oklahoma State women's tennis team improved to 5-10 Thursday as it knocked off Denver, 5-2, at the Stapleton Tennis Pavilion on the DU campus.
“I am proud of the girls for the way they competed today,” coach Chris Young said. “Nothing has come easy this season and today was no different, but the energy we had in doubles set the tone for the match.”
The Cowgirls' quick start in the opening doubles competition was highlighted by a pair of dominant wins. Malika Rose and Kanyapat Narattana defeated DU's Caroline Schnell and Natalie Dunn, 8-0, at No. 2 while C.C. Sardinha and Leyla Simmons defeated Emma Isberg and Steffi Rath, 8-2, at No. 3. The No. 1 match was left unfinished as the doubles point was decided.
OSU kept it momentum going strong into singles play where the Cowgirls claimed four of six matches to seal the 5-2 victory.
Singles match winner for the Cowgirls included Sasha Belova, Malika Rose and C.C. Sardinha at Nos. 2-4, respectively, and Sarah Meghoufel at No. 6.
Rose improves to 13-1 in dual play with her third-set tiebreaker win while Sardinha moves to 9-5. Belova's win was her second of the year, which has been shortened with an early injury, and sealed the win with the decisive fourth team point.
“I am proud of Sasha for competing well today against a very strong player and clinching the match,” Young said. “Malika continues to find a way to win and C.C. was dominant. Sarah was tough at key moments just like we needed her to be. Tomorrow we will need a total team effort and I am confident in the girls' ability to give that.”
The Cowgirls take on Colorado Friday at 2 p.m. in Boulder, Colo.
Oklahoma State 5, Denver 2
DOUBLES
No. 1 – Nataliya Shatkovskaya/Sasha Belova (OSU) vs. Sophia Bergner/Elena Najera (Denver) DNF
No. 2 – Malika Rose/Kanyapat Narattana (OSU) def. Caroline Schnell/Natalie Dunn (Denver) 8-0
No. 3 – C.C. Sardinha/Leyla Simmons (OSU) def. Emma Isberg/Steffi Rath (Denver) 8-2
SINGLES
No. 1 – Sophia Bergner (Denver) def. Nataliya Shatkovskaya (OSU) 6-2, 6-1
No. 2 – Sasha Belova (OSU) def. Elena Najera (Denver) 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
No. 3 – Malika Rose (OSU) def. Caroline Schnell (Denver) 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(6)
No. 4 – C.C. Sardinha (OSU) def. Gabriella Boboc (Denver) 6-0, 6-0
No. 5 – Emma Isberg (Denver) def. Kanyapat Narattana (OSU) 6-2, 6-4
No. 6 – Sarah Meghoufel (OSU) def. Steffi Rath (Denver) 6-4, 7-5
Match Notes:
Oklahoma State: 5-10
Denver: 6-11
Players Mentioned
