‘Cats Bounce Back to Defeat No. 41 Tulsa 4-2

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The No. 56 Kansas State women's tennis team made a comeback in singles play to take down No. 41 Tulsa, 4-2, on Saturday (March 26) at the Mike Goss Tennis Stadium.

K-State advances to a record of 7-8 (0-4 Big 12), while Tulsa drops to 10-6 (3-2 American).

The Wildcats lost the doubles point but found their rhythm in singles.

"I thought we performed great," stated head coach Jordan Smith. "We came up short in doubles, but at least we were competitive. I feel like we've done a lot better with our doubles play and so for us to go down 1-0, that shows that Tulsa out-competed us, but I was really pleased with how we started in singles. We just talked about getting more united and treating every match like it is going to be their last."

Clinching the match for K-State was senior Ioana Gheorghita who overpowered Tulsa's Valeriya Rozenkova. Gheorghita took control in set one, 7-5, but dropped set two, 6-1. The momentum picked back up for Gheorghita, as she was able to shut down Rozenkova and claim the win 6-1.

"Ioana was awesome being able to clinch the match for us," said Smith. "That opponent (Rozenkova) actually clinched the match against us last year when we lost 4-3, so that was great that we were able to turn the tables."

Earning the first singles point for the Wildcats was freshman Florentine Dekkers at the number three spot. The Netherlands native was victorious against Maria Berlanga Bandera, 6-2, 7-5.

After a tough battle against Laia Conde Monfort, senior Maria Linares clinched the second singles point for K-State, 6-4, 6-4.

"Maria has been on a roll," said Smith. "She did not slow down a bit and handles being number one like a champ."

Senior Anna Turco played on court six for K-State and was able to shut down Lian Benedjcic in two sets, 6-3, 6-4.

Sophomore Manami Ukita fell to Tulsa's Lily Hutchings, 6-1, 6-3, on court five.

In doubles play, the senior duo Karine-Marion Job and Linares lost at the number one spot to Valeryia Rozenkova and Bandera, 6-2. The Golden Hurricane then clinched the point with a 6-4 victory by Monfort and Shura Poppe at the number two position against Dekkers and Gheorghita.

It'll be a quick turnaround for the Wildcats as they host Wichita State on Sunday (March 27) at 2 p.m., CT at the Mike Goss Tennis Stadium.

No. 56 K-State vs. No. 41 Tulsa
March 26, 2022 at Manhattan, Kan.
(Mike Goss Tennis Stadium)

K-State 4, Tulsa 2

Singles
1. Maria Linares (KSU) def. Laia Conde Monfort (TU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Karine-Marion Job (KSU) vs. Shura Poppe (TU) 7-5, 3-6, 3-3, unfinished
3. Florentine Dekkers (KSU) def. Maria Berlanga (TU) 6-2, 7-5
4. Ioana Gheorghita (KSU) def. Valeryia Rozenkova (TU) 7-5, 1-6, 6-1
5. Lily Hutchings (TU) def. Manami Ukita (KSU) 6-1, 6-3
6. Anna Turco (KSU) def. Lian Benedejcic (TU) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles
1. Valeryia Rozenkova/Maria Berlanga (TU) def. Karine-Marion Job/Maria Linares (KSU) 6-2
2. Laia Conde Monfort/Shura Poppe (TU) def. Florentine Dekkers/Ioana Gheorghita (KSU) 6-4
3. Dinara Alloyarova/Manami Ukita (KSU) vs. Lily Hutchings/Ana Naranjo Martinez (TU) 5-5, unfinished

For the latest on K-State Women's Tennis, follow @kstatesports and @KStateTEN on Twitter or Kansas State Women's Tennis on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

Dinara Alloyarova

Florentine Dekkers

Ioana Gheorghita

Karine-Marion Job

Maria Linares

Anna Turco

Manami Ukita