Kansas to Continue Road Swing at No. 56 BYU on Saturday
Feb. 27, 2008
<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – Coming off a split in two matches in the state of Kentucky last weekend, the University of Kansas tennis team will travel to Provo, Utah, to take on 56th-ranked BYU on Saturday. The dual is set to begin at 11 a.m.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
KU’s record currently stands at 3-4 after a 6-1 loss to No. 22 Kentucky and a 6-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky last weekend. The Jayhawks have won three of their previous four matches.
Leading Kansas against the Cougars will be junior Edina Horvath, who has lost just two singles and doubles contests combined in the dual match season. The Budapest, Hungary, native boasts a 6-1 singles record while playing mostly in the No. 3 position, and has also compiled a 6-1 mark with senior Elizaveta Avdeeva in the No. 1 doubles spot.
Also an encouraging sign for the Jayhawks has been the surprising play of freshman Magdalena Tokarczyk, who, despite being with the team for less than two months, has already taken over the No. 1 singles position. The Ksawerow, Poland native is 5-2 in dual match play.
Last weekend marked the return of Lauren Hommell to the singles lineup. While she has played in several doubles matches this season, the senior had not competed in a singles contests since last spring due to a wrist injury. After taking a default victory against Kentucky, Hommell made her official return to the lineup a successful one against EKU, posting a 6-4, 6-3 win over Myriem Mhirit.
BYU, which will be the fourth ranked opponent Kansas has faced this season, enters Saturday with a record of 5-6. However, nine of the Cougars’ 11 matches have been against ranked foes. BYU has recorded wins over Big 12 schools KansasState and Texas Tech.
Prior to its matchup with KU, BYU will take on Nevada on Friday in Provo.
Last season, the Jayhawks dropped a highly competitive match to the Cougars, 4-3, on Feb. 16 in Lawrence. KU got singles wins from Horvath, Hommell and junior Yuliana Svistun, but could not overcome dropping the doubles point.
Check back with kuathletics.com for complete results following Saturday’s dual.
