Kansas tennis heads to Sooner state to open Big 12 play
LAWRENCE, Kan. – A very successful nonconference season saw the Kansas tennis team compile a 9-2 record and be ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation, a program first. The Jayhawks, currently ranked No. 10, begin their Big 12 Conference portion of the 2018-19 season when they head south to the Sooner State to face No. 11 Oklahoma State and No. 30 Oklahoma, Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The Jayhawks will face the Cowgirls on Friday, March 15 at 5 p.m., at The Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater. On Sunday, March 17, Kansas will battle it out in Norman against the Sooners. First serve is slated for noon from the Headington Family Tennis Center.
OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowgirls of Oklahoma State are undefeated in Big 12 play at 2-0 and have an overall record of 8-5 on the season. They are ranked right behind the Jayhawks at No. 11. The Cowgirls lead the series, 34-16, and have won the last 12-consecutive meetings. Included is a win earlier this season over the Jayhawks during the ITA Kick-Off Weekend tournament in Stillwater, where OSU topped KU, 4-3, on Jan. 26.
OKLAHOMA
No. 30-ranked Oklahoma is currently 10-3 on the season and riding a five-match win streak. OU will open its Big 12 season on Friday night, hosting No. 33 Kansas State. Last April 22, then-No. 16 Kansas blanked then-No. 50 Oklahoma, 4-0, at the Jayhawk Tennis Center at Rock Chalk Park.
“We are excited to start Big 12 play this weekend,” said Kansas head coach Todd Chapman. “We start with two extremely challenging tests, but great opportunities on the road against OSU and OU. We look forward to competing against really good competition.”
Idle last weekend, the Jayhawks’ most recent competition came March 1 and 3, when they went 1-1 on a trip to Washington and Oregon. KU lost at Washington, 4-3, then bounced back to sweep Oregon, 7-0. On the season, the Jayhawks have recorded wins over five ranked teams, having also defeated Northwestern (currently No. 18 in the nation), No. 35 Illinois, then-No. 36 Wichita State, Tulsa (then No. 46) and Rice (currently No. 41).
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