After what has thus far been a season of triumph and victory, the Longhorns were dealt a rare taste of defeat in yesterday’s match against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship final, losing 4-0. Falling to their No. 1 counterpart, No. 7 Texas for the third time this season were defeated by the Cowgirls, this time costing them a championship.
It was almost a month ago exactly when these two teams last faced each other. In a much closer match, Texas was defeated 3-4, but yesterday’s competition was a different story. Losing the deuce point, the Longhorns fell into unfamiliar territory, having won the doubles point in every match but three this season in Big 12 play, two of which came against Oklahoma.
Quick losses came for graduate student Tanya Sasnouskaya on court three and freshman Shachf Lieberman on court six. Lieberman was able to open the first set at 1-1 before graduate student Kristina Novak went on to win the match’s next 10 games.
Any potential for a comeback dissolved when play ended early for three of the six singles matches. Among the three unfinished matches, the Longhorns had either won or were leading in one of the two sets played. Though the score reflects a clean sweep, there was still tight competition in a few matches.
The Big 12 Championship is no foreign concept to Texas women’s tennis. For the sixth year in a row, the Longhorns have made an appearance in the Big 12 Tournament final match, and for only the second time in those six years has the team walked away without victory. This loss against Oklahoma State breaks a three-year win streak for Texas in the tournament.
Before reaching this final match, Texas had had constant success on the court. This loss breaks a nine-game win streak, the Longhorns’ longest of the season. With only one loss in Big 12 play this season, the team seemed unstoppable. Only Oklahoma State had been able to disrupt Texas’ pursuit of undefeated conference play.
Making her return in this tournament was junior Sabina Zeynalova. Zeynalova had been back for the first two matches of the tournament, only playing in doubles. The junior had previously been out since March, sidelined for an injury, and did not play in the match against Oklahoma State. Her return marks a possible positive outlook for a team that will soon prepare for the NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament.
Texas now looks ahead to the NCAA Tournament selection show, where the team hopes they will host first and second-round matches at the Texas Tennis Center. The first round of tournament play begins May 4.
