THIS WEEK: at Texas Tech on March 6 in Lubbock, Texas at Noon
UP NEXT: Oklahoma State on March 13 in Manhattan, Kan. at Noon

TO THE LONE STAR STATE ...
Big 12 Conference play continues as the 65th-ranked Kansas State women’s tennis team (3-3, 0-1) heads south for a league dual match at Texas Tech (4-2, 0-1) on Saturday, March 6 in Lubbock, Texas. All matches to be played at the McLeod Tennis Center beginning at noon.

SCOUTING TEXAS TECH
In its Big 12 openers, Texas Tech and K-State both lost 5-2 on the road at league rival Colorado. The Lady Raiders, however, come into this weekend’s matchup having taken a 7-0 sweep of Abilene Christian on March 3. In doubles play, the No. 48-ranked duo of sophomore Tara Browning and sophomore Katja Kovacic hold a perfect 5-0 record at the No. 2 position. Tech also boasts the doubles play of seniors Irina Tereschenko and Kendall Brooks, who are 5-1 for the spring season. In 2002-03, Tereschenko had doubles success teaming with Beverly Dawson at the No. 1 spot, amassing a 14-4 overall record and an 8-2 Big 12 finish. In addition to qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in doubles, she was an All-Big 12 doubles team selection. Former Washington State head coach Cari Groce is in her first-year at Texas Tech.

QUOTING COACH BIETAU
“Tech has always had good talent,” Head Coach Steve Bietau said. “I’ve known Cari Groce for a long time and she comes from a strong coaching family. She’s always been successful at everything she’s done and I think that she’s going to make Tech’s program a lot stronger.”

LAST TIME OUT
Despite the Wildcats’ 5-2 loss at Colorado, sophomore Jessica Simosa and senior Hayley McIver were able to secure singles victories, while Maria Rosenberg and Paulina Castillejos walked away with the only Wildcat doubles victory of the match. It was a hard day for CU’s Jessica Vanderdys, as she fell victim to the play of Simosa in singles, 7-6 (0), 6-4. With her win, Simosa improved her singles record to 5-1 at the No. 2 position and currently leads the team in singles victories. Meanwhile, Rosenberg and Castillejos spoiled the undefeated 4-0 record of Vanderdys and Morgan Sall, by beating them 9-8 (4). The duo has accumulated a team-best 5-1 doubles record. Rosenberg, K-State’s top singles player with a 4-2 record, remains ranked as the nation’s No. 83-ranked singles player in the latest ITA rankings as of March 4. 

LOOKING BACK IN THE SERIES
If precedent is worth noting, history favors the Wildcats in this weekend’s matchup. K-State goes into the match with a .600 winning percentage and a 4-1 record against the Lady Raiders when playing in Lubbock. The Wildcats went 2-0 against Texas Tech in the 2002-03 season, accumulating a 5-2 win over the Lady Raiders on March 1 and a 4-1 victory on April 24.    

UP NEXT
The Wildcats can look forward to a break from the road with two upcoming home matches against Oklahoma State on March 13 at noon and instate rival Kansas on March 16 at 5 p.m.

2003-04 SPRING RESULTS
Singles                 No. 1   No. 2   No. 3   No. 4   No. 5   No. 6   Overall
Maria Rosenberg         4-2                                             14-8
Jessica Simosa                  5-1                                     12-5
Paulina Castillejos                     4-2                             12-9
Hayley McIver                                   3-3                     8-13
Judith Diaz                                             1-4     1-0     4-15
Aveen Alkhatib                                          0-1     1-4     2-12
 
Doubles                 No. 1   No. 2    No. 3  Overall  
Rosenberg/Castillejos   5-1                     5-1
Diaz/Simosa                     3-3             3-3
McIver/Alkhatib                          1-5    1-5