Edmond, Okla. - Roaring back from a 2-0 deficit, the third-ranked Columbus State University women's tennis team pulled off a 4-2 come from behind victory over No. 9 Central Oklahoma on Friday in the opening round of the inaugural Division II Indoor Championship. The event is being held at the Oak Tree Tennis Center in Edmond, Okla. outside of Oklahoma City.
After dropping the doubles point and losing the first completed singles match, the Lady Cougars (6-1) showed their resiliency. CSU won the final four completed matches, with first singles being unfinished, to move on to the semifinals.
"What a match," commented head coach Evan Isaacs. "You don't see many matches like this in the regular season, but that's why we are having this event. The ladies showed their hearts and toughness tonight. It's not easy to do what we did tonight."
The first point of the evening came down to third doubles. After the two sides split the first two matches, Lottee Lesschery Post and Mariona Franco grabbed a 6-4 decision over Luise Sachs and Amanda Citre to give Central Oklahoma (2-1) the lead. Candice Paya and Beatriz Lopez were CSU's winners in doubles play as the duo took the second position by the score of 6-2.
Things were looking grim for Columbus State (6-1) as Franco took sixth singles 6-3, 6-0 over Agostina Bigottil. However, from there the comeback began.
Nelia Trklja got the Lady Cougars on the board after winning fourth singles 7-6, 6-1 while No. 17 Lopez was quickly wrapping up third singles for CSU. The senior was impressive in a 6-4, 6-2 win over Paola Landin.
While No. 21 Paya was completing her match at second doubles, key moments at first and fifth singles were happening simultaneously. Tenth-ranked Sachs and Baran both dropped their first sets, but were rallying to keep Columbus State alive. Both players eventually won the second set 7-6 to head into the decisive third sets at each position.
Paya gave Columbus State the overall 3-2 lead after completing her match in straight sets 6-4, 6-2 over No. 29 Isabella Dunlap.
Needing just one victory out of the final two matches, freshman Baran was the one to send the Lady Cougars off winners. Baran played calmly in the third set against Nikki Boyar to win 4-6, 7-6, 6-3. Sachs and No. 26 Adel-Byanu Abidullina were tied at three-all in the third when play was called.
Up Next
Columbus State will continue its run for an indoor championship on Saturday with a match against No. 8 Hawaii Pacific at 6:30 p.m. The semifinal match will be played at the Oak Tree Country Club.
