Kansas Finishes Strong at Invitational

Midland Invitational | Day Two Results
Sept. 14, 2013
Singles Consolations
Round Two:
Maria Belen Ludueña (KU) def. Jessica Birowski (UT- Arlington) 6-0, 6-4
Brittany Brewster (Nebraska) def. Paulina Los (KU) 6-3, 7-6
Kaysie Hermsdorf  (Abilene Christian) def. Dylan Windom (KU) 6-4, 6-4
Quarterfinals:
Samantha Tutelmann (Penn State) def. Maria Belen Ludueña (KU) 1-6, 7-6, 13-11
Additional Matches
Claire Dreyer (KU) def. Beatriz Santos (Texas Tech) 6-2, 6-4
Maria Jose Cardona (KU) def. Sarah Toti (Texas Tech) 6-7, 7-5, 10-8
Anastasija Trubica (KU) def. Maike Zeppernick (Nebraska) 6-2, 6-1

MIDLAND, Texas – Coming off of a tough day Friday, the Kansas women’s tennis team bounced back bringing confidence and skill to the court, Saturday, but it proved to be not enough.

“I was pleased with our efforts today,” said head coach Todd Chapman. “We were in every match today. We had trouble finishing out matches again, but I felt like the girls were more aggressive in tight situations.”

Following a difficult day Friday, the Jayhawks took their previous losses and turned them around to find success on the court. Despite their effort, it was not enough to keep them in the Midland Invitational.

“Yesterday I felt like we were waiting for someone to lose to us. Today we weren’t waiting for that to happen, we were looking to aggressive,” said Chapman. “Some of them worked out for us today, some of them didn’t. But at least I could live with the style we played the pressure situation today. “

Maria Belen Ludueña took KU the farthest in day two of the invite as she advanced to the consolation quarterfinals after defeating Jessica Birowski of UT-Arlington (6-0, 6-4). In the quarterfinals, Luduena battled Samanta Tutelmann of Penn State before she fell in a tie-breaker (1-6, 7-6, 13-11).

Dylan Windom, Paulina Los and Ludueña played in the second round of consolations today. Windom, who received a bye to the second round, suffered a difficult loss to Abilene Christian’s Kaysie Hermsdorf (6-4, 6-4) while Los, who also received a bye, fell to Brittany Brewster of Nebraska (6-3, 7-6).

Outside of the regular tournament play, the Jayhawks collected a handful of wins and match experience. Claire Dreyer took down Beatriz Santos from Texas Tech (6-2, 6-4) and Maria Jose Cardona made a comeback from the day before where she lost in a tie-breaker, to beat Sarah Toti of Texas Tech in the third set (6-7, 7-5, 10-8). Anastasija Trubica grabbed the last win for Kansas from Maike Zeppernick of Nebraska (6-2, 6-1).

The matches outside of the tournament count in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings, but not in the tournament standings.

“I feel like we definitely got better from yesterday, in one day’s time, as far as how we approached the situations,” Chapman said.

While the team finished the tournament early, the Jayhawks gained valuable experience including what to expect from some of their opponents, including Big 12 teams, for upcoming spring match-action.  The Jayhawks competed against Big 12 players from Baylor, Texas Tech and TCU, finding success against each. Kansas finished Big 12 conference play last season with a record of 2-7.

UP NEXT
The Jayhawks will continue match-action tomorrow outside of the invitational with results contributing to ITA standings. Follow KUAthletics.com for all details and updates.

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