Kansas State University Athletics
Wildcats Advance in Singles Matches on First Day of Big 12 Fall Invitational
Nov 09, 2023 | Tennis
Doubles matches start off day two at 10 a.m. CT
WACO, Texas- The K-State women's tennis team competed in seven singles matches on the first day of the Big 12 Fall Invite on Thursday (Nov. 9) at Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas.
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In an individual tournament consisting of four draws, K-State saw success on four courts to advance to the quarterfinal rounds.
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Sophomore Vanesa Suarez started the day off for the Wildcats by defeating Jantje Tilbuerger from Central Florida, 6-3, 6-1. Suarez represented the team again after missing the previous TCU Invitational for international competition.
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Junior Veronika Kulhava hadn't played in a singles match since Oct. 14 at the ITA Central Regional, but she came back with a win over Houston's Laura Slisane, 6-2, 6-2.
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Freshman Charlotte Keitel extended her singles win streak to five, since the Central Regional, by defeating Maria Dzemeshkevich of Houston, 6-1, 6-2.
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Sophomore Maria Santos was also victorious in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-3, against Cincinnati's Callie Flanagan.
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Senior Manami Ukita and freshman Tereza Polakova both suffered a loss in high scoring matches. Ukita dropping her match against Heike Jans Van Vuuren from Kansas, 7-5, 6-3. Polakova similarly loss in two sets, 6-4, 7-5, to Oklahoma's Ava Catanzarite.
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Freshman Jillian Harkin was the only Wildcat to battle into three sets, dropping the first set and fighting back in the second, but she ultimately could not overcome her opponent, the Houston Cougars' Nina Skoric, losing 6-3, 4-6, 10-1.
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On Friday (Nov. 10) doubles matches start off the day at 10 a.m. CT, K-State competing with four doubles teams. Senior Aleen Quamar will also compete in her first singles match of the tournament against Texas Tech's Camryn Stepp.
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FROM THE COURT
Head Coach Jordan Smith
On the first day against conference competition…
"Everyone competed well today. Definitely some first day nerves but the team managed to settle in for the most part. Happy that we advanced five players. Look to see how we can improve during day two."
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Big 12 Fall Invitational
Hurd Tennis Center
Waco, Texas
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Singles Competition
Vanesa Suarez (KSU) def. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) 6-3, 6-1
Heike Janse Van Vuuren (KU) def. Manami Ukita (KSU) 7-5, 6-3
Ava Catanzarite (OU) def. Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-4, 7-5
Veronika Kulhava (KSU) def. Laura Slisane (HOU) 6-2, 6-2
Charlotte Keitel (KSU) def. Maria Dzemeshkevich (HOU) 6-1, 6-2
Maria Santos (KSU) def. Callie Flanagan (CIN) 6-1, 6-3
Nina Skoric (HOU) def. Jillian Harkin (KSU) 6-3, 4-6, 10-1
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Tennis Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook and Instagram.
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In an individual tournament consisting of four draws, K-State saw success on four courts to advance to the quarterfinal rounds.
Â
Sophomore Vanesa Suarez started the day off for the Wildcats by defeating Jantje Tilbuerger from Central Florida, 6-3, 6-1. Suarez represented the team again after missing the previous TCU Invitational for international competition.
Â
Junior Veronika Kulhava hadn't played in a singles match since Oct. 14 at the ITA Central Regional, but she came back with a win over Houston's Laura Slisane, 6-2, 6-2.
Â
Freshman Charlotte Keitel extended her singles win streak to five, since the Central Regional, by defeating Maria Dzemeshkevich of Houston, 6-1, 6-2.
Â
Sophomore Maria Santos was also victorious in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-3, against Cincinnati's Callie Flanagan.
Â
Senior Manami Ukita and freshman Tereza Polakova both suffered a loss in high scoring matches. Ukita dropping her match against Heike Jans Van Vuuren from Kansas, 7-5, 6-3. Polakova similarly loss in two sets, 6-4, 7-5, to Oklahoma's Ava Catanzarite.
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Freshman Jillian Harkin was the only Wildcat to battle into three sets, dropping the first set and fighting back in the second, but she ultimately could not overcome her opponent, the Houston Cougars' Nina Skoric, losing 6-3, 4-6, 10-1.
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On Friday (Nov. 10) doubles matches start off the day at 10 a.m. CT, K-State competing with four doubles teams. Senior Aleen Quamar will also compete in her first singles match of the tournament against Texas Tech's Camryn Stepp.
Â
FROM THE COURT
Head Coach Jordan Smith
On the first day against conference competition…
"Everyone competed well today. Definitely some first day nerves but the team managed to settle in for the most part. Happy that we advanced five players. Look to see how we can improve during day two."
Â
Big 12 Fall Invitational
Hurd Tennis Center
Waco, Texas
Â
Singles Competition
Vanesa Suarez (KSU) def. Jantje Tilbuerger (UCF) 6-3, 6-1
Heike Janse Van Vuuren (KU) def. Manami Ukita (KSU) 7-5, 6-3
Ava Catanzarite (OU) def. Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-4, 7-5
Veronika Kulhava (KSU) def. Laura Slisane (HOU) 6-2, 6-2
Charlotte Keitel (KSU) def. Maria Dzemeshkevich (HOU) 6-1, 6-2
Maria Santos (KSU) def. Callie Flanagan (CIN) 6-1, 6-3
Nina Skoric (HOU) def. Jillian Harkin (KSU) 6-3, 4-6, 10-1
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How to follow the 'Cats: For complete information on the K-State Women's Tennis Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Threads, Facebook and Instagram.
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