Women's Tennis Travels to Midwest for Two Road Matches This WeekendWomen's Tennis Travels to Midwest for Two Road Matches This Weekend

Women's Tennis Travels to Midwest for Two Road Matches This Weekend

Feb. 11, 2010

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State women's tennis team is on the road for a second straight weekend to take on the Shockers of No. 74 Wichita State Saturday at 1 p.m. and the Oklahoma Sooners Sunday at 11 a.m.

Last time out, the Nittany Lions fell to Purdue in their first Big Ten match of the season, 5-2. The Lions had the score tied at 2-2, but the Boilermakers pulled away to take the conference win. Freshman Petra Januskova (Ottawa, Canada) handled Michelle Sammons in straight sets on the No. 1 court, 6-2, 6-4, while fellow freshman Amy Simidian (Carlstadt, N.J.) topped Purdue's Imogen Golder in fifth singles, 6-1, 7-6. The rookie duo also picked up an 8-4 No. 2 doubles win for Penn State over Dushkina and Remi Martin.

Wichita State is currently ranked No. 74 nationally by ITA. The Shockers are 1-4 this spring, with all four losses coming against ranked opponents. Senior Stephanie Dalmacio is 3-1 for Wichita State on the No. 1 singles court during spring play. She and sophomore doubles partner Lutfiana Budiharto are 2-1 in first doubles.

Oklahoma is undefeated after upsetting No. 30 Alabama last weekend, 4-3. The Sooners recorded shut-outs over Arkansas-Little Rock, Oral Roberts and North Texas. Junior Maria Kalashnikova, who clinched the win over the Crimson Tide, is 4-0 in singles this spring. Live statistics for Sunday's match can be accessed the Oklahoma match listing on the Schedule tab above.

Last year, then-No. 66 Wichita State topped Penn State in Happy Valley, 6-1. Freshman Michaela Stracar (Jericho, N.Y.) shined in a come-from-behind No. 6 singles win over Laryssa Ferreira, 3-6, 6-1, 10-4. Against Oklahoma on Feb. 20, 2009, the Nittany Lions fell to the Sooners, 6-1. Junior Lauren McCarthy (Danbury, Conn.) grabbed a Penn State point as she handled Kristina Radan, 6-3, 7-5.

The Nittany Lions return home next weekend to host No. 67 Marshall and No. 38 Boise State. Penn State squares off against the Thundering Herd Friday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. and against the Broncos on Sunday, Feb. 21 at noon at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center off of Bigler Road. Admission to all Penn State home matches is free.