MANHATTAN -  Kansas State women’s tennis came within one match of upsetting 35th-ranked Nebraska on Wednesday at Washburn Tennis Facility.

K-State (8-9 overall, 3-6 in the Big 12) dropped the doubles point for the second straight match, losing 2-1 to the Cornhuskers (17-2 overall, 8-2 Big 12). The lone doubles win for the Wildcats came from senior Judith Diaz and freshman Fernanda Da Valle (duh VYE-aa). Head coach Steve Bietau shook things up with the new pair and was rewarded with an 8-6 win by the twosome over Pamela Castillejos (cast-ah-zhay-hosh) and Ellinor Zugnor.

In singles play, freshman Tamar Kvaratskhelia (kah-vah-RATS-heel-yah) defeated Imke Reimers in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. The Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia native has now won 13 straight matches and improved on her K-State record for wins in a season with a mark of 30-4. Kvaratskhelia improved to 9-0 in Big 12 play, with all of the matches coming in the number two position.

Also winning singles points for the Wildcats were junior Jessica Simosa (SIM-o-sah) and Da Valle. Simosa won for the fourth straight match, setting down Ewelina (Ev-EL-ina) Skaza, 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. The Valencia, Venezuela, product earned her 20th win of the season, which is a new career-high and is also 6-3 in the Big 12. Da Valle earned her eighth win of the season by dropping Katie Garcia in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. The Mendoza, Argentina native is now 3-6 in Big 12 action and 2-1 in the number five position.

The match turned to Nebraska at the number four position, as Castillejos edged out freshman Tereza Prochazkova in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 6-0. The Brno, Czech Republic product is now 9-8 on the season and 4-5 in the Big 12.

K-State is now 0-8 against ranked opponents this season, dropping five of those matches by a score of 4-3. The Wildcats will take on 31st-ranked Texas A&M on Saturday at 12 p.m., and 10th-ranked Texas at 10 a.m., Sunday. Both matches will be played at Washburn Tennis Facility and admission is free.

Final Results
#35 Nebraska vs. #75 Kansas State
Manhattan, Kan.
April 20, 2005

Doubles
1. Gitte Ostermann/Katie Garcia (NU) def. Maria Rosenberg/Tamar Kvaratskhelia (KSU), 8-6
2. Ewelina Skaza/Imke Reimers (NU) def. Jessica Simosa/Tereza Prochazkova (KSU),  8-4
3. Fernanda Da Valle/Judith Diaz (KSU) def. Pamela Castillejos/Ellinor Zugner (NU), 8-6

Singles
1. (36) Gitte Ostermann (NU) def. Maria Rosenberg (KSU), 6-3, 6-4
2. Tamar Kvaratskhelia (KSU) def. Imke Reimers (NU), 6-1, 6-4
3. Jessica Simosa (KSU) def. Ewelina Skaza (NU), 2-6, 6-2, 6-0
4. Pamela Castillejos (NU) def. Tereza Prochazkova (KSU), 6-2, 5-7, 6-0
5. Fernanda Da Valle (KSU) def. Katie Garcia (NU), 6-4, 6-3
6. Ellinor Zugner (NU) def. Judith Diaz (KSU), 7-6 (2), 6-2

Order of Finish: Doubles: 2,1,3 Singles: 5, 2, 1, 3, 6, 4

Final Score
Nebraska 4, Kansas State 3