WSU women’s tennis traveled to Lawrence, Kan. to take on the Jayhawks Saturday in the battle of the wheat. No. 49 WSU was able to upset No. 45 KU to move to 9-3 on the season while handing KU their second loss, 8-2.

In doubles play, WSU was able to take the first match behind an Abby Stevens/Julia Schiller 8-1 win. KU evened up doubles play with a win from Maria Jose Cardona/Maria Belen Luduena over Rebecca Pedrazzi/Montse Blasco-Fernandez.

The doubles point was clinched when Veronika Blaskova/Lucia Kovalova won 8-6 to give WSU a 1-0 dual match lead.

In singles play, the Shockers were able to extend their lead behind two dominant performances at the one and two positions. Schiller won 6-2, 6-1 and Pedrazzi won 6-2, 6-2.

“It was a tough match,” Pedrazzi said. “It’s great that we were able to take it to them in Lawrence in front of their fans.”

 

Looking to mount a huge comeback, KU had to get it going one match at a time. The Jayhawks got their first point when Claire Dreyer beat Blaskova 6-3, 6-2. They followed it up with two more wins from Paulina Los over Stevens 6-2, 6-4 and from Luduena over Kovalova in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

This set the match on the experienced shoulder of Blasco-Fernandez. Having already clinched two matches earlier this season Montse was able to move well and defeated Anastasija Trubica 6-3, 6-1.

“If Montse feels good, then the whole team feels good,” Kovalova said.

“At some points we got frustrated with some calls, but it gave us motivation to fight even harder.” Blasco-Fernandez said. “It feels so good to beat KU.”

Wichita State tennis looks to continue their high level of play when they travel to No. 50 Oklahoma State on Sunday, March 2.