Hogs Upset No. 9 Cowgirls

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.- The Arkansas women’s tennis team earned a 4-3 upset over No. 9 Oklahoma State Friday afternoon. Junior Jackie Carr clinched the match for the Hogs, her first this season.

The team dropped the doubles point to open the match, with the Cowgirls clinching the point at the No. 1 as Martina Zerulo and Tatum Rice fell 7-6(3). Arkansas quickly evened the match 1-1 at the No. 2 position, with Rice defeating No. 21 Katarina Stresnakova 6-2, 6-3.

Oklahoma State pulled ahead again, as Lauren Alter fell 6-3, 6-4 and Laura Rijkers fell to No. 40 Marina Guinart. The Razorbacks pulled within one at the No. 6 position as Miruna Tudor earned a 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 victory, and tied the match as Zerulo earned a 6-4, 6-4 win.

Carr clinched the match in the tiebreaker set, fighting back from a set-one loss to win the match. The win was the first time since 2012 that Arkansas has defeated Oklahoma State.

“I’m so happy for this group,” head coach Courtney Steinbock said. “It was such a great team effort. I knew coming into the season that we had talent, but we really came to play today. I think the girls see what we have been seeing for the last few months. This is a long season so while we will enjoy this win, we need to get back to work tomorrow.”

Arkansas will return to the court Sunday morning to host Oklahoma in the team’s final home match until SEC play in March. First serve is set for 10 a.m.

For more information on Razorback women’s tennis, follow @RazorbackWTEN on Twitter.

Arkansas 4, No. 9 Oklahoma State 3
Doubles Results – Order of Finish (2,1)
1. Sofia Blanco/Catherine Gulihur (OSU) def. Martina Zerulo/Tatum Rice (ARK) 7-6 (7-3)
2. Lisa Marie Rioux/Marina Guinart (OSU) def. Lauren Alter/Jackie Carr (ARK) 6-4
3. Miruna Tudor/Laura Rijkers (ARK) vs. Bunyawi Thamchaiwat/Tamara Arnold (OSU) 6-6, unfinished

Singles Results – Order of Finish (2,3,4,6,1,5)
1. Martina Zerulo (ARK) def. Bunyawi Thamchaiwat (OSU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Tatum Rice (ARK) def. Katarina Stresnakova (OSU) 6-2, 6-3
3. Lisa Marie Rioux (OSU) def. Lauren Alter (ARK) 6-3, 6-4
4. Marina Guinart (OSU) def. Laura Rijkers (ARK) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Jackie Carr (ARK) def. Catherine Gulihur (OSU) 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4
6. Miruna Tudor (ARK) def. Tamara Arnold (OSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-0