Oklahoma State Tennis Run Comes to a Close Losing to No. 3 Michigan In NCAA Quarters

(This story was originated by Oklahoma State University Athletic Media Relations and contributed to by Robert Allen of Pokes Report.)

WACO, Texas – No. 20 Oklahoma State saw its NCAA Tournament run end in the quarterfinals when it lost to No. 3 Michigan, 4-0, on Thursday night at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. It was a late night as the mach before the Cowgirls and Wolverines, No. 2 Texas A&M and Tennessee, had two weather delays. The OSU match scheduled for 7 p.m. did not start until just after 8:30 p.m. and did not end until after 11 p.m.

The Cowgirls' season ends at 22-8 after making their sixth-ever appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. They also captured their second consecutive Big 12 regular season title and made their 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

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Komar and freshman Rose Marie Nijkamp won at No. 1 doubles.

The match began with doubles, with Michigan earning the point. The No. 6 Cowgirl pairing of Anastasiya Komar and Rose Marie Nijkamp were the first to log a win, however, as they defeated No. 18 Lily Jones and Jessica Bernales, 6-2, on court one.

The Wolverines answered with wins on courts two and three, as No. 45 Reese Miller and Julia Fliegner beat Kylie Collins and Marcela Lopez, 6-3, before Piper Charney and Emily Sartz-Lunde bested Gracie Epps and Alian Zack, 6-4, to clinch the point.

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Melisa Ercan had a 5-3 first set lead at No, 1 singles before losing 7-5, 6-1.

In singles, Michigan got wins on courts one, three and six to earn the win. Bernales put the first singles point on the board on court six, defeating No. 125 Lopez, 6-4, 6-2. No. 46 Jones was the next to finish, handing No. 115 Nijkamp just her second loss of the season, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, before No. 6 Fliegner finished off the victory with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Ercan.

“I know my players layed it on the line, but so did Oklahoma State,” Michigan head coach Ronni Bernstein. “I didn’t know that we won 4-0 until I looked at the scoreboard after it was over. It didn’t feel like it was 4-0, it felt more like it was 4-3. I give credit to Oklahoma State because they played it tough.”

Michigan moves on to face Texas A&M. Georgia and North Carolina make up the other semifinal in the Final Fout.

Singles Competition
1. No. 6 Julia Fliegner (MICH) def. Melisa Ercan (OSU) 7-5, 6-1
2. No. 84 Anastasiya Komar (OSU) vs. No. 21 Piper Charney (MICH) 6-1, 3-6, 4-3, unfinished
3. No. 46 Lily Jones (MICH) def. No. 115 Rose Marie Nijkamp (OSU) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
4. Kylie Collins (OSU) vs. No. 68 Emily Sartz-Lunde (MICH) 0-6, 6-3, 3-1, unfinished
5. No. 77 Gracie Epps (OSU) vs. Reese Miller (MICH) 4-6, 6-2, 4-3, unfinished
6. Jessica Bernales (MICH) def. No. 125 Marcela Lopez (OSU) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Competition
1. No. 6 Anastasiya Komar/Rose Marie Nijkamp (OSU) def. No. 18 Lily Jones/Jessica Bernales (MICH) 6-2
2. No. 45 Reese Miller/Julia Fliegner (MICH) def. Kylie Collins/Marcela Lopez (OSU) 6-3
3. Piper Charney/Emily Sartz-Lunde (MICH) def. Gracie Epps/Alian Zack (OSU) 6-4