Women?s Tennis Falls to Oklahoma on the Road
2/23/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.- The University of Alabama women's tennis team fell 3-4 today to the University of Oklahoma at the Greens Golf and Tennis Club in Oklahoma City, Okla.
"W had another tough 4-3 loss today," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz." "We are playing undisciplined and sloppy doubles and we have to make some changes. The key is for us to turn these 4-3 matches around and I am confident that we are capable of doing that. We need to make adjustments and find a way to get something from the doubles matches."
The Crimson Tide fell behind early in the match by losing at all three doubles positions.
In singles, sophomores Alice Tunaru and Bianca Svensson, as well as junior Shelley Godwin, contributed singles wins for Alabama.
Godwin picked up a convincing victory at the No. 6 slot against Oklahoma's Brittany Baldy, 6-4, 6-0. The win marked the first victory for Godwin after making a return to the Alabama singles lineup.
"Shelley Godwin got a great 6-4, 6-0 win today," said Mainz. "I think it is very positive for our team to see her competing. She will make a big impact in our lineup."
Sophomores Tunaru and Svensson both overcame a first-set deficit to pull out hard-fought victories at nos. 3 and 5 respectively. Tunaru defeated Maria Kalashnikova 3-6, 7-5, 10-6, while Svensson beat Elena Antakova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
"Bianca and Alice were both mentally tough today," Mainz said. "It is the second consecutive week that Bianca has pulled out a three-set battle at No. 5. Alice also did a nice job today of finding a way to get it done at No. 3."
Alabama, now 3-5 on the season, heads to Baton Rouge, La. and Fayetteville, Ark. next weekend to kick off the competitive SEC season. For more information on Alabama women's tennis, visit www.rolltide.com.
Alabama 3, Oklahoma 4
Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Greens Golf and Tennis Club
Doubles
1. #34 Constantinescu / Orr (OU) def. Bigos / Welcher (UA) 8-4
2. Baxley / Eckel (OU) def. Brenes / Svensson (UA), 8-1
3. Antakova/ Cox (OU) def. Tunaru / Emery (UA), 8-3
Order of finish: 2,3,1
Singles
1. Ana-Maria Constantinescu (OU) def. Tiffany Welcher (UA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2. Chelsea Orr (OU) def. Paulina Bigos (UA), 7-6, 6-3
3. Alice Tanaru def. Maria Kalashnikova (OU), 3-6, 7-5, 10-6
4. Christi Baxley (OU) def. Meritt Emery (UA), 6-4, 6-3
5. Bianca Svensson (UA) def. Elena Antakova (OU), 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
6. Shelly Godwin (UA) def. Brittany Baldy (OU), 6-4, 6-0
Order of finish: 6,2,4,1,5,3
-UA-
