MANHATTAN, Kan. Despite a 6-1 loss to No. 15-ranked Oklahoma, the Kansas State women’s tennis team still had a few bright spots in its Big 12 Conference dual match versus the Sooners Saturday afternoon at the Washburn Tennis Facility.

K-State’s Maria Rosenberg and Paulina Castillejos defeated OU’s No. 13-ranked doubles team of Anda Perianu and Heather Saluri, 8-6. The Wildcat duo rallied back from a 4-1 deficit and tied the match at six-all, which brought on the eventual upset at No. 1 doubles. Oklahoma (13-3, 2-2) won at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots to claim the doubles point.

Sophomore Jessica Simosa won the only singles point for the Wildcats with a 6-4, 6-1, straight-set victory over OU’s Gabby Baker at the No. 2 position. Meanwhile, Rosenberg and Castillejos played close matches at the No. 1 and No. 3 spots. Up against the nation’s No. 6-ranked player in Perianu, Rosenberg was defeated in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, while Castillejos lost a three-setter to Irina Lykina, 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (3).

“Oklahoma has six solid players and are very good at the top,” Head Coach Steve Bietau said. “I was impressed with their doubles play and overall strength. As a team, we are struggling right now and we have to look for any little edge we can find. What we saw at No. 1 doubles today is what we like to see at every position.

“The doubles win was important and you can see the progression the team is making. We hope to build on the positive things that happened today for tomorrow’s match versus Iowa State.”

The Wildcats (4-10, 0-6) will host the Cyclones on Sunday, April 4 at noon (CT). The match will be played at the Washburn Tennis Facility and is one-of-two home matches remaining on the 2003-04 K-State slate.

(15) Oklahoma 6, Kansas State 1
April 3, 2004
Washburn Tennis Facility
Manhattan, Kan.

SINGLES
No. 1 (6) Anda Perianu (Oklahoma) def. Maria Rosenberg (Kansas State), 6-2, 6-2.
No. 2 Jessica Simosa (Kansas State) def. Gabby Baker (Oklahoma), 6-4, 6-1.
No. 3 Irina Lykina (Oklahoma) def. Paulina Castillejos (Kansas State), 2-6, 6-4, 1-0 (3).
No. 4 Heather Saluri (Oklahoma) def. Judith Diaz (Kansas State), 6-4, 6-3.
No. 5 Jessica Braver (Oklahoma) def. Aveen Alkhatib (Kansas State), 6-0, 6-0.
No. 6 Joi-Lee Beachler (Oklahoma) def. Emily Mickelson (Kansas State), 6-1, 6-0.

DOUBLES
No. 1 Rosenberg/Castillejos (Kansas State) def. (13) Perianu/Saluri (Oklahoma), 8-6.
No. 2 Lykina/Braver (Oklahoma) def. Simosa/Diaz (Kansas State), 8-2.
No. 3 Baker/Bethany Griffin (Oklahoma) def. McIver/Emily Mickelson (Kansas State), 8-4.