April 28, 2004
WACO, Texas -
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The Baylor women's tennis team, ranked No. 41 nationally, finished Big 12 regular season play in fourth place with an 8-3 league record. They now head to the Big 12 Tournament, hosted by the University of Oklahoma, April 29-May 2 at the Sooner's Headington Family Tennis Center. The University of Oklahoma will provide live scoring of all matches played at the campus tennis center.
The Lady Bears, 12-10 on the season, by virtue of their fourth place finish, received a first-round bye and will face the winner of the No. 5 Colorado/No. 12 Iowa State match at noon on Friday, April 30. Friday's winner will advance to the semifinals on Saturday at 11 a.m. Despite their youth up and down the lineup, the bottom half of the ladder has been extremely strong for the Lady Bears this season, especially in league play. In nine of Baylor's 11 conference matches, Baylor players have swept singles matches at courts four, five and six.
Iowa State enters their match against Colorado with a 5-13 overall record and ended Big 12 play at 0-11. The Cyclones are led by senior Sabrina Evers. Baylor blanked the Cyclones in Ames on April 23, 7-0.
Colorado, currently ranked No. 69, finished Big 12 play with a mark of 6-5, the Buffaloes are 11-9 on the season. Baylor posted a 5-2 win over Colorado in Waco on March 26. Baylor swept all three doubles matches against the Buffs and lost the No. 2 and 3 singles contests.
Baylor Notes...
-All but four of the Bears' matches have been against teams ranked in the top 75 nationally. In fact, 12 of their matches were against teams ranked in the top 50.
-The women's tennis team is 32-13 in its three-year history at the Baylor Tennis Center.
- The women's team currently has three, 20-match winners this season, that hasn't happened since the 1995-96 season. Daria Potapova has 19 wins so far and if she gains No. 20, it will be the first time Baylor women have had four players win 20 or more matches in a season.
-Daria Potapova was Baylor's lone 20-match winner last season with 25-11.
-Freshmen Carolin Walter (24-10), Iva Mihaylova (24-10) and Klara Zrustova (20-9) are making an impact on the women's team this season, they have tallied 68 singles victories.
-The team has swept singles at No. 4, 5 and 6 in 12 of their 22 matches this season.
Big 12 Players of the Week...
Two Lady Bears, both freshmen, have been named Big 12 Player of the Week this season. Carolin Walter received the honor for matches played between march 30 and april 5 and Klara Zrustova was honored for matches played between April 6 - 12.
Twice this Season...
Two times this season Baylor men's and women's players have swept Big 12 Player of the Week honors. Benjamin Becker and freshman Carolin Walter were honored on April 7 and Benedikt Dorsch and freshman Klara Zrustova earned Player of the Week kudos on April 13.
Hasn't Happened Since...
Baylor currently has three players that have posted 20-win seasons. That hasn't occurred since the 1995-96 squad accomplished it. Freshmen Carolin Walter (24), Iva Mihaylova (24) and Klara Zrustova (20) all have surpassed the 20-win mark this season. In 1995-96 Sophie Goldschmidt (25), Carolyn McGrath (23) and Sarah Chester (23) accomplished the feat. The current team could become the first team to have four players post 20-win season, junior Daria Potapova currently has 19 victories.
Newcomers Making Impact...
Freshmen Carolin Walter (24-10), Iva Mihaylova (24-10) and Klara Zrustova (20-9) are definitely making an impact on the women's team this season. Between the freshman trio, the newcomers have tallied 68 singles victories. Another newcomer, sophomore transfer Daniela Covello who joined the team in January, jumped right into the No. 2 spot and has made significant contributions as well.
Baylor in the Rankings...
After beginning the season ranked No. 32, the Lady Bears, after playing a very demanding and challenging schedule, have settled in the upper-40s range. They are currently ranked No. 41. In addition, freshman Carolin Walter is ranked No. 44.
Academic All-Big 12...
The women's team had three players named Academic All-Big 12. Sophomore pre-business majors Stephanie Balzert and Zuzana Krchnakova were named to the first team while junior Daria Potapova, a marketing major, made the list for the second time.
