Texas women's tennis falls to Oklahoma State in Big 12 Championship – The Daily Texan

After a season marked by triumphs and victories so far, the Longhorns suffered a rare defeat in yesterday's game against Oklahoma State in the final of the Big 12 Championship, losing 4-0. The Cowgirls fell to their No. 1 counterpart, No. 7 Texas, for the third time this season, costing them the championship this time.

It has been almost a month since these two teams last faced each other. In a much closer game, Texas was defeated 3-4, but yesterday's contest was a different story. With the loss of the deuce point, the Longhorns entered unfamiliar territory after winning the double point in all but three games in the Big 12 this season, two of them against Oklahoma.

There were quick losses for graduate student Tanya Sasnouskaya in third place and freshman Shachf Lieberman in sixth place. Lieberman was able to open the first set at 1-1 before graduate student Kristina Novak won the next ten games of the match.

Any potential for a comeback disappeared when play ended early in three of the six singles matches. Of the three unfinished games, the Longhorns had either won or were ahead in one of the two sets played. Although the result reflected a clean victory, there was still strong competition in some games.

The Big 12 Championship is no stranger to Texas women's tennis. For the sixth consecutive year, the Longhorns were in the Big 12 Tournament final, and for the second time in those six years the team went winless. This loss to Oklahoma State breaks a three-year winning streak for Texas in the tournament.

Before this final game, Texas had been achieving consistent success on the field. This loss ends a nine-game winning streak, the Longhorns' longest of the season. With just one loss in Big 12 play this season, the team seemed unstoppable. Only Oklahoma State was able to disrupt Texas' quest for undefeated conference play.

This tournament saw the return of junior Sabina Zeynalova. Zeynalova returned in the first two matches of the tournament, playing only doubles. The junior had been out since March due to an injury and did not play in the game against Oklahoma State. Her return marks a possible positive outlook for a team that will soon be preparing for the NCAA women's tennis tournament.

Texas now looks forward to the NCAA Tournament selection show, where the team hopes to host first and second round games at the Texas Tennis Center. The first round of the tournament begins on May 4th.