Tennis Swings Through Kansas
March 19, 2015 11:56 AM | General
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| Freshman Habiba Shaker holds a 7-2 mark at the No. 4 position and a 3-1 mark at the No. 5 position in singles play this season. |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Starting its first Big 12 road swing of the season, the West Virginia University women’s tennis team heads to Manhattan, as it faces Kansas State on Friday, March 20, at Noon ET, at the Mike Goss Tennis Stadium.
Last week, West Virginia (9-4, 0-1 Big 12) fell to Iowa State, 4-3, in its first Big 12 match of the season, in Ames, Iowa. At the No. 2 slot, junior Hailey Barrett and freshman Habiba Shaker recorded the Mountaineers only doubles victory of the day. Sophomore Kaja Mrgole, freshman Carolina Lewis and freshman Yvon Martinez each picked up victories at the No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively.
“I think the Big 12 is a tough league, and we have to come ready to battle every week. Iowa State was a battle last week, and nothing is going to change this weekend,” said second-year coach Miha Lisac. “We play Kansas State on Friday and Kansas on Sunday, and both teams have been playing really well so far. The competition is only going to increase from here.”
Shaker has a team-best 12-0 mark in doubles play as she has teamed up with Barrett, Martinez and Lewis throughout the spring. Shaker holds a 7-2 mark at the No. 4 position and a 3-1 mark at the No. 5 position in singles play. Mrgole has tallied nine wins at the No. 1 slot, winning eight of her last nine singles matches. Lewis has a perfect 10-0 mark in singles action, with victories at the No. 5 and No. 6 slots.
Kansas State leads the all-time series with West Virginia, 4-0. The Mountaineers concluded its 2014 campaign with a 4-0 loss against the Wildcats at the Big 12 Championship on April 24. The Wildcats (6-9, 0-2 Big 12) are coming off a 4-0 loss to No. 17 Texas Tech, and is currently 4-2 at home this season.
K-State is led in singles play this season by sophomore Palma Juhasz. Juhasz has generated a 14-8 record this season, including a current six-match win streak. Juhasz is 4-0 at No. 2 position, and holds a 3-4 mark at the No. 1 slot. The sophomore duo of Palma Juhasz and Sara Castellano are ranked 9th in the ITA Central doubles rankings.
West Virginia and Kansas have played just two matches against each other, as the Jayhawks hold a 2-0 advantage. The Jayhawks (4-8, 0-2 Big 12) are coming off a 4-1 loss to No. 27 TCU at home.
Senior Maria Belen Luduena is ranked 8th in the ITA Central rankings at the No. 1 position. The upperclassmen tandem of Maria Jose Cardona and Ludena are ranked 4th in the ITA Central doubles rankings. Cardona has tallied two wins at the No. 1 slot, and freshman Madison Harrison has a team-high five victories this spring. Cardona has teamed up with Ludena to go 9-4 in doubles on the year.
“Kansas State and Kansas are improving more and more as the year goes on. Kansas State has a new coach this year, and Kansas’ head coach was new last year as well. I know that both teams are talented programs, and they will have players that are ready to battle,” Lisac explained. “It’s not about analyzing the opponents, as much as it is about us doing the right thing. We have to give ourselves the opportunity to win. The competition this weekend will definitely challenge us.”
The Mountaineers will remain in Kansas, as the team travels to Lawrence on Sunday, March 22 to square off against the Jayhawks in a 1 p.m. ET match.
A recap will be available following each day of competition at WVUsports.com.
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