SEATTLE – Oklahoma State’s third-ranked women’s tennis team claimed the first ITA Indoor National Championship in program history with a thrilling 4-3 win over No. 5 Michigan in Seattle on Monday.
The Cowgirls improved to 9-0 and now claim four top-six wins and eight top-15 wins on the season. The win is Oklahoma State’s second of the season over the Wolverines with the first coming on Jan. 19 at the Greenwood Tennis Center.
The championship tilt began with a statement from the Cowgirls. The 13th-ranked pairing of Anastasiya Komar and Ange Oby Kajuru beat No. 5 Kari Miller and Jaeden Brown, 6-2. The doubles point was claimed quickly thereafter, as Ayumi Miyamoto and Raquel Gonzalez took down Anna Ross and Lily Jones, 6-3.
The match between OSU’s Safiya Carrington and Kristina Novak’s and Piper Charney and Reese Miller was left unfinished at 5-5, due to the Cowgirls taking the point.
In singles action, No. 5 Kajuru made quick work of No. 18 Fligner, 6-0, 6-1, on court one and Novak bested No. 57 Lily Jones, 6-2, 6-4, on court six. The pair of victories gave the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead and put them a point away from the title.
With their backs against the wall, the Wolverines were no easy out, claiming the next three matches. Michigan’s Charney got them back on the right foot, beating No. 46 Miyamoto, 6-3, 6-2.
Jaeden Brown claimed the next point for the Wolverines, defeating No. 122 Safiya Carrington, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). The third consecutive point was taken with No. 124 Gala Mesochoritou getting by No. 54 Lucia Peyre in three sets, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Tied up at three apiece, all eyes went to court one as No. 17 Komar won it for the Cowgirls, taking down No. 9 Miller, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Oklahoma State will look to keep its undefeated season intact Feb. 17 in Tempe, Ariz., as they take on the Sun Devils of Arizona State at 1 p.m. Follow the Cowgirls all year long on okstate.com.
Singles competition
No. 17 Anastasiya Komar (OSU) def. No. 9 Kari Miller (MICH), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 Ange Oby Kajuru (OSU) def. No. 18 Julia Fliegner (MICH), 6-0, 6-1
No. 124 Gala Mesochoritou (MICH) def. No. 54 Lucia Peyre (OSU), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
Jaeden Brown (MICH) def. No. 122 Safiya Carrington (OSU), 6-4, 7-6(7-4)
Piper Charney (MICH) def. No. 46 Ayumi Miyamoto (OSU), 6-3, 6-2
Kristina Novak (OSU) def. No. 57 Lily Jones (MICH), 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
No. 13 Anastasiya Komar and Ange Oby Kajuru (OSU) def. No. 5 Kari Miller and Jaeden Brown (MICH), 6-2
Ayumi Miyamoto and Raquel Gonzalez (OSU) def. Anna Jones and Lily Ross (MICH), 6-3
Safiya Carrington and Kristina Novak (OSU) v. Piper Charney and Reese Miller (MICH), 5-5, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1, 2); Singles (2, 6, 5, 4, 3, 1)
