Three Straight Singles Wins Secure 4-3 Win Over No. 39 SMU

Thursday, February 21

Manhattan

12 p.m.

Kansas State University

SMU

K-State's Maria Linares competes against SMU at Body First Tennis Center in Manhattan, Kansas.

Three Straight Singles Wins Secure 4-3 Win Over No. 39 SMU

Feb 21, 2019 | Tennis

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MANHATTAN, Kan. – Trailing 39th-ranked SMU, 3-1, K-State's Karine-Marion Job, Anna Turco and Maria Ponomareva claimed the final three singles matches to secure a 4-3 comeback win over the Mustangs at Body First Indoor Tennis Center Thursday afternoon.

Sophomore Margot Decker picked up a straight-set victory over No. 90 Liza Buss, 6-2, 6-2, at No. 1 singles to help K-State (6-2) pick up its first win over a ranked opponent this season.

"I thought that it was great that we were able to get back," said head coach Jordan Smith. "Four weekends in a row is never easy and to be that long away from home. I know it can be a little harder to play at home because of the nerves and people that we know are watching. I thought we handled that great for the most part today. I think we're doing a lot better. It kind of came down to the last match in doubles, little unfortunate that a couple calls didn't go our way.

"The way we responded on the first three singles matches really allowed us to feel comfortable and get our bearings in singles. We did a great job. Margot (Decker) took care of business pretty fast, when we get 1-1, all of a sudden, it makes a difference overall."

All three of the final singles matches went in straight sets in favor of the Wildcats, as Job overtook Ana Perez-Lopez , 6-3, 6-3, at the fourth position. Turco ousted Katherine Jakeway, 7-6, 6-1 in the No. 5 spot and Ponomareva claimed the deciding point at the sixth position with a 6-0, 6-2 over Karina Traxler.

"I think it was a great match," Turco said. "We proved that when we are in tough situations, like being 3-1 down, we can fight and we showed that we can compete with good teams in tough situations."

"It was pretty cool," Ponomareva said. "I really wanted to play today, and it doesn't matter what number I played, because all the girls on our team were good and I was so focused, I played every ball. I was fighting to the end, because I mean, it's the final point and I was fighting for the team and I want the best for my team, of course."

The day started with a tight contest in doubles matches. Job, named Big 12 Player of the Week on MOnday, and junior Ines Mesquita defeated Vivienne Kulicke and Ana Perez-Lopez, 6-4, at third doubles.

Decker and Turco lost to No. 55 Buss and Anzhelika Shapovalova, 6-3. SMU's Tiffany Holleback and Karina Traxler secured the doubles point in the tiebreaking match after defeating the freshmen duo of Ponomareva and Ioana Gheorghita, 6-4.

Following Decker's single victory, sophomore Maria Linares battled back from a 6-3 opening-set loss to 117th-ranked Kulicke to force a third set. Linares ultimately fell in a third-set tiebreaker at No. 2 singles.

In the No. 3 spot, Mesquita lost to Shapovalova, 6-0, 6-3.

The Wildcats remain at home as they host a doubleheader on Saturday, facing Cincinnati at 12 p.m. before UMKC at 5 p.m. at Body First Indoor Tennis Center. Admission to all home matches is free and fans can follow live stats on K-StateSports.com with live updates on the team's Twitter page @KStateTEN.