No. 30 Jayhawks host final two home matches; open house scheduled for Saturday
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum brings her 12-3 spring record and a seven-match win streak to her, and the team’s, final two home matches of the season as the Jayhawks host No. 38 Tulsa and Kansas State at the Jayhawk Tennis Center.
First, KU will play Tulsa at 4 p.m., Thursday, in a match that will be televised on the Jayhawk Network. The Hurricane lead the overall series with the Jayhawks, 11-14-1, including a 10-match win streak. Playing at the No. 2 spot, Rongrong Leenabanchong owns a 16-4 dual play record and an overall mark of 22-7. In doubles, Leenabanchong and partner Martha Matoula have tallied a 14-3 record at the No. 2 spot in dual play and an overall record of 21-6.
“Anytime we can showcase what we’re doing with our program is nothing but a positive,” said head coach Todd Chapman. “I think it’s great for the girls, whether it makes them a little more excited or nervous, it’s a great situation from the standpoint of getting notoriety, but also having to deal with a little extra pressure at times. We’ve been on TV at other places this spring, so it should be something we’re used to.”
Saturday, the Jayhawks and Wildcats will face-off at 1 p.m., for senior day. Kansas leads the all-time series between the two schools, 42-13, including a two match win streak after KU topped KSU, 4-2, in Manhattan last season. Seeing action at the No. 4, 5, and 6 spots, Livia Cirnu has tallied a dual record of 13-4 for the Wildcats.
“It’s always nice to play K-State at home in the Dillon’s Sunflower Showdown,” said Chapman. “The fans seem to enjoy the rivalry. It’s fitting, in my opinion, for it to be senior day and have our open house. I think it’ll be a great atmosphere and opportunity for fans to come out and enjoy the facility, watch a high-quality tennis match and hopefully be there to thank Tess for her play this year on our team.”
Along with Saturday being senior day, there will be an open house at the Jayhawk Tennis Center from 9 a.m., until noon. During the event, facility tours will be available to all comers, as well as free coffee and donuts. At 10 a.m., there will be a short formal program with comments from Director of Athletics, Dr. Sheahon Zenger, Coach Chapman and Kyle Markham, the general manager of the Jayhawk Tennis Center.
Following the program, opportunities to play in tennis activities on the courts will be available to all in attendance regardless of age until 11 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., the members of the Kansas and Kansas State tennis teams will begin their preparation for Saturday’s Big 12 Conference match.
“I encourage everyone to come out Saturday and enjoy the beautiful facility,” said Chapman. “Those who haven’t been out before, I encourage them to do so and those who have been out, I encourage them to come because there’s going to be free clinics and donuts. After hitting balls and taking a tour, I hope a large number of people will stick around to watch us play K-State in the last home match of the year.”
After the match is finished, Bernard-Feigenbaum, the lone senior on the roster, will be honored during a senior recognition ceremony. The day concludes with an autograph session with the members of the Kansas tennis team.
“She (Tess) has come in and solidified herself in the top of the lineup in doubles and definitely in top couple spots in singles,” said Chapman. “I think as the year has gone on, Tess has felt more comfortable in how we do things and the expectations of our program. Her tennis has really flourished this year.
She was a really good player before she got to Kansas, but she has been able to take game to another level. With that happening, it’s allowed our program to take things to another level. She’s been a huge contributor in what we’ve done and is going to continue to be a huge contributor in where we’re going to finish up the season.”
KUAthletics.com: The official online source for Kansas Athletics, Williams Education Fund contributions, tickets, merchandise, multimedia, photos and much, much more.
