Oklahoma State Cowgirls Top Seed in NCAA, Cowboys Will Visit Top Seed Ohio State
(Oklahoma State University Athletic Media Relations contributed to this story.)
STILLWATER – I’ve never watched a selection show absolutely knowing where Oklahoma State was going to pop up on the screen, but Monday night was a first in the Varsity Room inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. The men’s and women’s tennis teams were gathered along with athletic departement staff and some fans. The men heard first and the news was a little grim. The No. 32-ranked Cowboys will travel to Columbus, Ohio this weekend for first and second round matches in the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Tennis Team Championship. The Cowgirls were the first team announced in the women’s bracket for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Team Championship. The early appearance on the selection show is because they are the No. 1-ranked and overall number one seed with a 27-0 record.
Deputy Athletic Director at Oklahoma State congratulated both teams and the Cowgirls will be a heavy draw in the regionals which start this Saturday, May 4 at the Greenwood Tennis Center, the eventual host of the NCAA Tennis Championships, men and women, team and individual running from May 16-25 in Stillwater.
“I think it is a good draw, the best teams in the country are playing this tournament and I think it is going to be very exciting to play here this weekend,” Cowgirls No. 3 singlels player Lucia Peyre said after watching the draw. “I’m looking forward to playing this weekend.”
Joining OSU in the Stillwater regional will be No. 32 Alabama, No. 36 SMU and Fairfield. Second-seeded Alabama will take on three seed SMU on Saturday, May 4 at 1 p.m., followed by OSU vs. Fairfield at 4 p.m. The winning teams will face off on Sunday at 2 p.m. with a chance to advance to a super-regional on the line.
The winner of the regional in Stillwater will play the winner of the regional hosted by No. 16-seed Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. The Lady Vols are joined by Duke, East Tennessee State, and Murray State.
“I’ve played against Alabama a couple of times,” Cowgirls No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles player Safiya Carrington said. Carrington and No. 1 singles player Anastaysia Komar both transferred from LSU and have played in the SEC. Carrington was a second-team All-SEC player.
“I’m excited and it’s always good to see familiar faces. We could see Tennessee in the Super Regional, so two SEC schools that Noz (Komar) and I know pretty well. It is huge to be at home especially with the crowds and the fans we have.”
The Cowgirls MVP this season and No. 6 singles and Carrington’s doubles partner Kristina Novak actually has a good friend on the SMU team.
“It’s nice to be seeded number one and I’m excited because my best friend plays for SMU,” Novak said. “Maja (Makoric) and I both went to Nebraska and transferred out at the same time.”
The Cowboys are joined in the Columbus Regional by host and top-ranked Ohio State, Cleveland State and No. 42 Vanderbilt. OSU will face Vanderbilt on Friday afternoon, May 3 in the Round of 64, with official times to be announced. The winner takes on either Ohio State or Cleveland State on Saturday, May 4.
Ohio State (30-1) earned the No. 1 overall seed after capturing its 17th Big Ten title. The Buckeyes are a perfect 13-0 at home this season and carry a 14-match winning streak into the NCAA tournament, with their only loss coming to No. 12 Texas on March 10.
Oklahoma State’s first opponent Vanderbilt won 13 regular season matches before falling in the first round of the SEC tournament. Cleveland State (21-6) earned the Horizon League’s automatic bid after winning the conference tournament title. The Vikings have seven road wins this season and have won their last 13 matches.
The Columbus Region champion advances to face the winner of the Starkville Region in one of eight Super Regionals.