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The K-State women’s tennis squad commenced the spring season on Thursday (Jan. 16) against Iowa State, with both teams each claiming five victories on the first day of the Duel in the Desert at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden near Palm Springs, California.

The Wildcats (0-0-1) emerged victorious in four out of seven singles matches, while the Cyclones (0-0-1) secured two out of three doubles matches. This marked the inaugural match of a three-day concealed duel structured event organized by Kansas.

In the initial dual match, K-State debuted new doubles pairings, achieving success in one matchup. Sophomores Maralgoo Chogsomjav and Charlotte Keitel triumphed with a 6-1 score against Mari Paz Alberto Vilar and Suzanie Prestorius in the third position.

Senior Veronika Kulhava and junior Maria Santos in the second position faced a tiebreaker against Julia Camblor and Valeska San Martin Ramirez but ultimately lost 6-7 (3-7). In the first position, junior Sana Garakani alongside sophomore Tereza Polakova were defeated 6-2 by Cristina Ramos Sierra and Anna Supapitch Kuearum.

Four Wildcats tasted victory in singles play, with two of them going the distance in three sets— Santos overcame Ramos in the third position 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, while Kulhava dominated the first set over Prestorius 6-0 and had to fight back in the third, ultimately winning 6-0, 5-7, 6-2 in the fourth position.

In her first dual match as a Wildcat, Garakani competed in the sixth position against San Martin, finishing victorious with a score of 6-4, 6-1. Sophomore Zali Morris also took the court in seventh place, prevailing against Gabriela Felix 6-2, 6-0.

Following a doubles win, Chogsomjav faced defeat individually against Camblor in the second position, 6-2, 6-2. Contending with #64 ranked Supapitch in the first position, Keitel fought hard in a high-scoring second set but could not clinch a victory, losing 2-6, 5-7. Polakova went up against Alberto in the fifth position and was unable to connect any points in the first set, succumbing 0-6, 3-6.

The Wildcats will continue their competition in the Duel in the Desert on Friday (Jan. 17) against Arkansas around 2:30 p.m. CT.

FROM THE COURT
Head Coach Jordan Smith
Regarding the team’s performance in the opening dual match…
“We performed adequately today. Clearly, we are not at the level we need to be. Nevertheless, this is our first competition in two months following a week of training. Thus, I have mixed feelings about today’s events.”

On how to enhance performance for the remainder of the tournament…
“Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to implement improvements from today. Our tennis skills are there. We just need to return to functioning as a team and competing accordingly. Overall, we are progressing and will be fine.”

Iowa State vs K-State
Indian Wells, California.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

Iowa State 4, K-State 4

Singles Competition

1. #64 Anna Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Charlotte Keitel (KSU) 6-2, 7-5

2. Julia Camblor (ISU) def. Maralgoo Chogsomjav (KSU) 6-2, 6-2  

3. Maria Santos (KSU) def. Cristina Ramos Sierra (ISU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

4. Veronika Kulhava (KSU) def. Suzanie Prestorius (ISU) 6-0, 5-7, 6-2

5. Mari Paz Alberto Vilar (ISU) def. Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-0, 6-3

6. Sana Garakani (KSU) def. Valeska San Martin Ramirez (ISU) 6-4, 6-1

7. Zali Morris (KSU) def. Gabriela Felix (ISU) 6-2, 6-0

Doubles Competition

1. Cristina Ramos Sierra/Anna Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) def. Sana Garakani/Tereza Polakova (KSU) 6-2

2. Julia Camblor/Valeska San Martin Ramirez (ISU) def. Veronika Kulhava/Maria Santos (KSU) 7-6 (7-3)

3. Maralgoo Chogsomjav/Charlotte Keitel (KSU) def. Mari Paz Alberto Vilar/Suzanie Prestorius (ISU) 6-1

 

 

— k-statesports.com —

 
How to follow the ‘Cats: For comprehensive details on the K-State Women’s Tennis Team, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team’s social media platforms on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.