April 13, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech Women's Tennis Team (11-9, 4-5) dropped their second straight conference match today as they fell 5-2 at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners. The Lady Raiders will wrap up their 2008 home schedule this Fri., April 18, at 5 p.m. as they host the Texas A&M Aggies.

Tech's doubles put themselves back on the winning track as they took the early 1-0 lead over the Sooners. The freshman duo of Kelsy Garland and Simone Templeton improved their record at No. 3 to 6-3 as they defeated Christi Baxley and Maria Kalashnikova, 8-2. The No. 1 veteran duo of Janet Durham and Samantha van der Drift clinched the point for the fourth time this season, taking down OU's Ana Constantinescu and Chelsea Orr, 8-2.

Moving into singles play the Sooners came out strong by sweeping five straight matches. Orr put her team on the score board first with a win on the No. 2 court over freshman Garland. Tara Eckel sunk in the second point for OU moving past Laura Ring, 6-1, 6-4, followed by Baxley slipping through sophomore Kerryn Potgieter's fingers on court five. The clinching match went down on the No. 1 court as van der Drift was unable to find a break in the second set against Ana Constantinescu, losing 7-6, 6-3.

"I am a little disappointed with the way we played in singles today after doing so well in doubles," said Head Coach Cari Groce. "Oklahoma did a good job of coming out and being ready to play, and now we have to just get ready for our last two matches against our in-state rivals A&M and Texas."

#64 Texas Tech - 2
Oklahoma - 5
McLeod Tennis Center

Singles: 2, 6, 5, 1*, 3, 4
1. Ana Constantinescu (OU) def. Samantha van der Drift (TTU); 7-6(0), 6-3
2. Chelsea Orr (OU) def. Kelsy Garland (TTU); 6-2, 6-3
3. Maria Kalashnikova (OU) def. Janet Durham (TTU); 0-6, 6-2, 6-2
4. Simone Templeton (TTU) def. Elena Antakova (OU); 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5)
5. Christi Baxley (OU) def. Kerryn Potgieter (TTU); 7-5, 7-6(5)
6. Tara Eckel (OU) def. Laura Ring (TTU); 6-1, 6-4