Cats Fall to No. 30 Oklahoma in Big 12 Opener

Friday, March 15

Norman, Okla.

5 p.m.

Kansas State University

Oklahoma

K-State's Ines Mesquita competes against Washington State at Body First Tennis Center in Manhattan, Kansas.

Mar 15, 2019 | Tennis

Box Score Box Score (.pdf)

NORMAN, Okla.?– No. 33 K-State women's tennis fell to No. 30 Oklahoma at Headington Family Tennis Center in its Big 12 opener on Friday, 5-2, leaving with singles wins from sophomore Maria Linares and freshman Karine-Marion Job.

"Today was a tough one for us," head coach Jordan Smith said. "We knew OU would be fired up from the beginning, even after a break between from competing. We have to do a better job with how we start the match. Definitely a match we're going to remember for a while.

"Unfortunately, we took a step back from the momentum and progress we've been making in doubles lately. We didn't have bring the energy that has made us a better doubles team. We responded well for the most part in singles but couldn't get them in the end. We have to move on and put ourselves in a better position against Oklahoma State on Sunday."

From the No. 2 spot, Linares defeated Martina Capurro, 7-6 (4), 6-3, claiming the first win of the day for the Wildcats. Shortly after, Job overcame an opening-set loss to defeat Jasmine Asghar, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0.

Three of the six singles matches on the day went to three sets.

At the No. 4 spot, Anna Turco went to a decisive set before falling to No. 121 Camila Romero, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2. Junior Ines Mesquita also went the full three sets with Kianah Motosono, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

At the No. 1 spot in singles, Decker lost to No. 40 Oleksandra Korashvil, 6-3, 6-4. and Maria Ponomareva lost to Ivana Corley, 6-3, 6-0.

In doubles play, the Sooners picked up the doubles point after defeating the Cats on Courts 2 and 3. Job and Mesquita lost to Capurro and Romero, 6-1. Freshman Ioana Gheorghita and Linares lost to Korashvil and Motosono, 6-0.

The sophomore duo of Decker and Turco competed against Asghar and Corley, but went unfinished after with the score at 4-3.

K-State is now 14-31 all-time against Oklahoma and 5-17 on the road. The Wildcats will now travel over to Stillwater to take on the 11th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Live stats will be available at K-StateSports.com with updates also available via the team's official Twitter page @KStateTEN.